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A  Family  History  in 
Letters  and  Documents 


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A  Family  History  in 
Letters  and  Documents 

1667-1837 


CONCERNING  THE  FOREFATHERS  OF 

WINTHROP  SARGENT  GILMAN 

AND  HIS  WIFE 

ABIA  SWIFT  LIPPINCOTT 


EDITED  WITH  NOTES  BY  THEIR  DAUGHTER 

MRS.  CHARLES  P.  NOYES 


VOLUME  I 


2KX8S 

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PRIVATELY  PRINTED 
ST.  PAUL,  MINNESOTA 

NINETEEN    NINETEEN 


....     . 


THE  TORCH  PRESS 

CEDAR  RAPIDS 

IOWA 


DEDICATION 

My  dear  children, 

As  we  grow  older,  we  become  more  conscious  that  the 
memory  of  those  whom  we  have  honored  fades  out  and 
that  the  younger  generations  do  not  and,  indeed,  cannot 
realize  the  value  of  the  lives  of  their  forefathers.  It  is 
with  the  hope  that  these  letters  and  documents  will  im- 
press on  you,  as  they  have  done  on  others,  the  strong 
characteristics  of  your  noble  and  upright  ancestry,  that 
your  father  and  I  give  them  to  you.  Most  of  them  came 
from  the  collections  of  your  grandfather,  Winthrop  Sar- 
gent Gilman,  of  New  York,  and  your  uncle,  Arthur  Gil- 
man,  of  Cambridge,  but  there  are  also  a  number  for 
which  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  other  members  of 
the  family. 

At  the  risk  of  leaving  in  matter  that  will  seem  to 
some  of  you  to  be  tedious,  I  have  transcribed  them  with 
absolute  exactness,  as  such  documents  have  no  value  if 
they  have  been  tampered  with,  no  matter  how  little.  The 
only  exception  is  a  sentence  which  was  taken  out  before 
the  letter  came  into  my  hands.  We  wished  to  have  the 
volumes  of  a  convenient  size,  so  I  have  refrained  from 
making  notes,  unless  they  were  necessary  to  the  compre- 
hension of  the  letters. 

I  trust  that  these  people  who  are,  in  a  very  real  way,  a 
part  of  your  personalities,  will  stand  out  as  clearly  to  you 
as  they  have  to  me,  while  preparing  this  book. 

Your  Mother. 


CONTENTS 


Rev.  John  Hale's  acceptance  of  call    ....        3 

A  Deliverance  from  Lightning 5 

Dr.  Robert  Hale's  Letters 6-21 

Nicholas  Gilman  to  Judge  and  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  23 
Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Mary  Thing       .        .        .        .25 

Henry  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale 27-29 

Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ...  29 
Henry  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  .  .  .  .  30,  31 
Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ...  31 
Rev.  James  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ....  33 
Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale    ...      34 

Bartholomew  Gilman  his  book 37 

"Settling  Salary" 39 

Richard  Woodbury  and  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Rev. 

Mr.  Webster 42 

Benjamin  Ives  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ....  43 
Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ....      44 

John  Payne  to  Col.  Robert  Hale 44 

Samuel  Gilman,  Jr.,  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ...  46 
Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ....  47 
Gov.  William  Shirley  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  ...  48 
Maj.  Moses  Titcomb  to  Col.  Robert  Hale        ...      49 

Story  of  John  Gilman .50. 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  .  54-56 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  and  Mrs.  John 

Downing 57 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  John  Downing  .        .  58 


Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman 
Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Governor  Shirley 
Josiah  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman 


58-70 
72 
72 

73-78 
80 
81 


Vlll 


CONTENTS 


Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  82 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  83,  84 
Ebenezer  Little  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman    ...      85 

Mrs.  Gilman 's  Letter  to  Her  Son 85 

Josiah  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  86 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  86 
Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Judge  Thomas  Hutchinson  .  .  89 
Josiah  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  90 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  90,  91 
Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Joseph  Gilman  ...  91 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  92 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  .92 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  93 
Josiah  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  95 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  95 
Parker  Titcomb  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  97 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  98 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  99 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  ...  99 
Samuel  Gilman  's  receipt  of  trusteeship  .  .  .100 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  .  101 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  .  102 
Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Hon.  Wm.  Browne  ....  103 
Hon.  William  Browne  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  .        .        .     104 

John  Choate  to  Col.  Robert  Hale 105 

A  Petition  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  from  Judith  Adams     .     105 

Bills  of  Mrs.  Gilman 106 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Tristram  Gilman        ....     107 

Joseph  Gridley  to  Joseph  Gilman 108 

John  Choate  to  Col.  Robert  Hale 108 

Bills  of  Mrs.  Gilman 109, 110 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Tristram  Gilman        ....     Ill 

John  Choate  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  .        .        ...        .     112 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman        .        .        .    113 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Tristram  Gilman        .        .        .        .114 

Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  .  .  .115 
Joseph  Gilman 's  partnership  agreement  .  .  .116 
Samuel  Gilman,  Jr.,  to  Col.  Robert  Hale     '  .        .      117, 118 


CONTENTS 


IX 


Joseph  Gilman  to  S.  P.  Savage 

Capt.  R.  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman 

Samuel  P.  Savage  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Capt.  R.  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman 

Elias  Ladd  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman 

Capt.  R.  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Capt.  R.  H.  Ives 

Nicholas  Pike  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  to  Capt.  R.  H.  Ives 

Rev.  Tristram  Gilman  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Judge  Atkinson 

A  Tavern  Bill 

Joseph  Gilman 's  Commission  as  County  Treasurer 

Report  op  a  N.  H.  Committee     .... 

Elijah  Hall  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman  . 

Dr.  Samuel  Tenny  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman  . 

I.  Wells  to  Joseph  Gilman        .... 

Capt.  Henry  Dearborn  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman    . 

Jedidiah  Jewett  to  the  N.  H.  Board  of  War 

Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman    . 

N.  H.   Board  of  War  to  Jedidiah  Jewett  by 

Gilman 

Col.  Scam mel  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman  . 

N.  H.  Committee  of  Safety  to  Hon  Samuel  Hunt 

Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman 

M.  Hodge  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Joseph  Wood  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Notice  of  Election  to  State  Senate 

Supply  Clap  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Notice  of  Election  to  State  Senate 

Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Joseph  Gilman 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman 


.  118 

.  119 

.  120 

121, 122 

.  123 

.  123 

.  124 

.  124 

.  127 

.  129 

.  130 

.  130 

.  132 

.  132 

.  134 

.  135 

.  136 

.  137 

.  137 

.  138 

138-140 

.  140 

142-144 


Joseph 


144 
145 
146 
146 
147 
148 
148 
150 
151 
152 
153 
153 
154 
159 


x  CONTENTS 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hannah  Robbins  ....  162 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  164-167 
Mrs.  Peter  Gilman  to  Patty  Rogers  .  .  .  .169 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  170 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  .  .  171 
Mrs.  Francis  LeB  Goodwin  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  172 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  .  173 
Mrs.  Peter  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  .  177 
Dr.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  .  178 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  182 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  .  194 
Dr.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj  Ives  Gilman  .  197-200 
Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Rev.  Tristram  Gilman        .     204 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  his  wife 206 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  210 
Dr.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  211,  214 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  .  217 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  219,  225 
Dr.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  233 
Dr.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Rev.  Tristram  Gilman  .  234,  236 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Sarah  Robbins  .  .  .  237 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  238 
Dr.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  244 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman        .    246 

Inscription 251 

Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  252-256 
Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  258,  260 
Mrs.  Francis  LeB.  Goodwin  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  261 
Rev.  Ammi  R.  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  .  265 
Rev.  Samuel  P.  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman        .     266 

Patty  Swift  to  Isaac  Swift 270 

Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Peter  G.  Robbins  .  .  272 
Rev.  Ammi  R.  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  .  274 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  275,  277 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.  .  279,  280 
Hon.  Dudley  Woodbridge  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.  .  281 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.  .  286-294 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.     .        .     295,  296 


CONTENTS 


XI 


Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  296-298 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.  .  .  299 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  .  299 
Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  G.  Robbins  300 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Benj.  Clark  Gilman  .  .  .  302 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  .  304,  305 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Nathaniel  Gilman  .  .  .  306 
H.  W.  Noble  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  .  .308 
Thomas  Lippincott  to  Patty  Swift         ....     309 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  his  wife 310 

Rev.  Samuel  P.  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  313 
Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Rev.  Isaac  Robbins  .  .  316 
Arthur  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .  .  .  319 
Winthrop  S.  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  .        .    319 

Marriage  Agreement 320 

Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Kingsley  .  .  .322 
Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Joseph  Battell  .  .  324 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Chandler  R.  Gilman  ....     328 

Diary  of  Rev.  Thomas  Lippincott 331 

Mrs.  Thomas  Lippincott  to  Isaac  Swift  ....  342 
Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  John  S.  Miller  .  .  .  346 
Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  to  Chandler  R.  Gilman  .  .  .  350 
Diary  of  Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman 351 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Rev.  John  Hale's  acceptance  op  the  call 

to  the  Beverly  Church     . 
Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman 's  Love  Letter 
Colonel  Robert  Hale's  Bookplate 
Silhouette  of  Judge  Joseph  Gilman 
Dr.  Chandler  Robbins    . 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  (Jane  Prince) 
Fort  Harmar  by  Judge  Joseph  Gilman 
Judge  Joseph  Gilman 's  Commission 
The  Houses  in  Marietta  built  by  Benj.  Ives 

Gilman  for  Himself  and  His  Father 
Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  (Rebecca  Ives) 


facing  p 
facing  p 
facing  p 
facing  p 
facing  p 
facing  p 
facing  p 
facing  p 

facing  p 
facing  p 


5 
25 
89 
120 
190 
192 
217 
219 

281 
303 


A  FAMILY  HISTORY  IN  LETTERS  AND 
DOCUMENTS 

Of  all  your  emigrant  ancestors  on  the  Gilman  side, 
Robert  Hale  seems  to  have  come  to  New  England  first 
and  it  was  but  thirty-four  years  after  he  landed  that  the 
earliest  of  our  documents  was  written.  In  those  days 
communities  were  very  small  and  they  lacked  entirely 
what  we  would  call  the  ordinary  comforts  of  life,  but 
from  this  collection  we  shall  have  a  revelation  of  their 
simple  and  friendly  lives  bound  closely  together  by  blood 
relationship,  by  business,  and  by  necessity.  "We  must  put 
aside  the  conception  we  usually  have  when  we  think  of 
our  forefathers,  that  of  isolated  families  living  in  sep- 
arated settlements,  —  the  Gelmans  in  Exeter,  the  Robbins 
in  Plymouth,  the  Hales  and  Ives  in  Beverly,  for  the  little 
towns  around  Boston  were  close  enough  together  to  have 
a  great  deal  of  visiting  back  and  forth,  done  at  first,  of 
course,  in  a  one-horse  chaise  or  on  horseback  and  later 
in  the  stage.  We  shall  find  it  interesting  to  note  the 
gradual  changes  that  took  place  and  the  increase  of  com- 
forts, but  it  seems  to  have  been  the  genius  of  this  branch 
of  the  Gilman  family  to  be  pioneers  and  so  we  find  them 
in  that  role,  first  in  Exeter,  Beverly,  Newbury,  and  Ply- 
mouth, then  in  Ohio  and  again  in  Illinois,  in  each  place 
contributing  largely  to  the  common  good. 

In  the  connecting  notes  and  the  headings  of  letters,  the 
ancestors  of  the  family  of  Winthrop  S.  Gilman  and  his 
wife,  Abia  Swift  Lippincott,  are  printed  in  capitals.  It 
seems  necessary  to  make  some  explanation  of  how  it  hap- 
pens that  so  many  different  family  names  appear  and 
how  all  these  people  are  related. 


2  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

When  Councillor  John  Gilman  of  Exeter  was  a  mem- 
ber, in  1693,  of  the  committee  to  call  a  new  pastor  for 
the  First  Church  there  and  decided  on  Rev.  John  Clarke 
of  Newbury,  he  started  the  chain  of  circumstances  from 
which  all  this  correspondence  arose.  For  Eev.  John 
Clarke  was  joint  guardian  with  his  widowed  mother, 
Mrs.  Nathaniel  Claeke,  of  his  two  sisters,  Sarah  and 
Elizabeth,  who  presumably  spent  part  of  their  time  with 
him  in  Exeter  and  so,  very  naturally,  one  of  them,  Sarah, 
four  years  later,  married  one  of  Councillor  John  Gil- 
man's  sons,  who  was  afterwards  called  "Judge"  Nich- 
olas Gtlman.  They  became  the  parents  of  one  of  our 
first  letter-writers,  Eev.  Nicholas  Gilman. 

A  year  after  this  marriage,  Sarah  (Clarke)  Gilman 's 
mother,  Mrs.  Nathaniel  Clarke,  of  Newbury,  became  the 
third  wife  of  Rev.  John  Hale,  of  Beverly.  Rev.  John 
Hale  's  first  wife,  Rebecca  Byley,  came  to  New  England 
when  a  child  of  three,  with  her  parents,  Henry  and  Re- 
becca (Swayne)  Byley,  from  Salisbury,  then  called  New 
Sarum,  England.  Rebecca  (Byley)  Hale  died  in  1683, 
leaving  two  sons,  only  one  of  whom  survived,  —  Dr.  Rob- 
ert Hale,  who  was  thirty  years  old  when  his  father  made 
this  third  matrimonial  venture.  Mrs.  Nathaniel  Clarke 
probably  took  to  her  new  home  in  Beverly  her  three  un- 
married Clarke  children  and  in  1700,  Elizabeth  married 
her  step-brother,  Dr.  Robert  Hale,  when  she  was  sixteen 
and  he  thirty-two.  The  earliest  letters  in  this  volume 
have  to  do  with  the  property  that  Dr.  Robert  Hale  in- 
herited from  his  grandfather,  Henry  Byley,  of  Sarum, 
which  was  managed  by  his  mother's  uncle,  Bennett 
Swayne,  of  London.  Dr.  Robert  Hale  lived  about  eigh- 
teen years  after  his  marriage  and,  dying,  left  Elizabeth 
(Clarke)  Hale  a  young  widow  with  three  children. 
Within  two  years  she  married,  as  his  second  wife,  the 
other  son  of  Councillor  John  Gilman  mentioned  above, 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  3 

who  was  called  Col.  John  Gilman  from  his  service  in 
Queen  Anne's  War.  She  found  five  motherless  children 
in  his  family  and  must  have  brought  with  her  two  of  her 
own  three  and  Col.  John  Gilman  and  she  had  four  more. 
We  shall  hear  particularly  of  four  of  this  family :  Eliza- 
beth and  Col.  Peter,  of  Col.  John  Gilman 's  first  mar- 
riage, Col.  Robert  Hale  of  Elizabeth  Clarke's  first 
marriage,  and  Samuel  of  the  third  marriage. 

Col.  Robert  Hale  was  a  student  in  Harvard  when  his 
mother  married  again  and  he  taught  school  in  Exeter  in 
his   vacations.    He    graduated   in    1721,    followed    his 
father's  example  and  married  his  step-sister,  Elizabeth 
Gilman,  in  1723  and  lived  in  the  old  house  in  Beverly. 
This  will  explain  the  close  intimacy  between  Col.  Robert 
Hale  and  the  young  men  of  the  Gilman  family  of  his  gen- 
eration.   While  the  intermarriages  go  on  for  three  more 
generations  and  become  even  more  confusing,  it  will  be 
best  to  leave  further  elucidations  until  later.    We  now 
return  to  Rev.  John  Hale,  who  was  the  eldest  son  of 
Robert  Hale,  the  emigrant,  and  who  was  twenty-eight 
years  old  when  he  first  began  to  preach  in  the  Beverly 
Church.     The  following  extract  from  the  First  Church 
Records,  the  photographic  copy,  which  is  interesting  be- 
cause it  is  in  Rev.  John  Hale's  own  writing,  and  the  let- 
ter to  "Bro:  Wilson"  were  given  the  Editor  by  the  late 
Robert  Hale  Bancroft,  of  Beverly  and  Boston,  Mass., 
who  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Rev.  John  Hale.    Mr. 
Bancroft  could  not  identify  "Mr.  Charles  Woodberry" 
nor  tell  how  the  second  paper  came  into  his  possession, 
but  it  is  undoubtedly  genuine. 

Rev.  John  Hale's  acceptance  of  the  call  from  the  First 
Church  of  Beverly.1 

July :  21.     This  motion  was  anf wered  the  21th  of  the  5 

1  From  the  Church  Kecords. 


4  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

inoth  1667  as  ffoll  viz  This  wrighting  being  read  together 
with  the  names  fubfribed  ther  was  a  unanimis  confent  of 
the  brethren  prefent  unto  their  defire  only  it  was  left  to 
the  facrament  day  after  when  in  the  fulleft  church  af- 
fem  [_]  the  confent  of  the  whole  church  was  fignified  by 
the  votes  &  fo  they  gaue  their  liberty  to  be  a  church  of 
thernselues  only  they  continue5  members  hear  untill  there 
being  a  church  the  Lord  graunt  his  gratious  pref ence  with 
them,  vppon  this  the  brethren  had  a  meeting  vppon  the 
28th  of  Auguft  and  renewed  their  call  to  mr  John  hailes 
that  hee  would  be  pleafed  to  accept  of  the  office  of  a 
paftor  whofe  anfwer  was  as  ffol : 

when  I  looke  att  the  weight  of  the  worke  you  call  mee 
vnto  of  wch  paul  cried  out  (who  is  fufficient  for  theife 
things)  I  then  looking  vppon  my  owne  manifold  Infirmi- 
ties &  indifpofition  of  fpirrit  therevnto  fee  many  difcour- 
agements:  butt  when  I  duly  confidder  the  lords  fouer- 
agnity  ouer  mee  &  all  fuffucienty  for  my  fuccor  I  defire 
wheare  I  fee  his  worke  and  call  to  fay  with  Efaiah  heare 
I  am  fend  mee ;  and  in  perticular  when  I  obferue  the  re- 
markable prouidences  of  god  in  bringing  mee  hither  and 
pauing  out  our  way  hitherto  and  the  roome  the  lord  hath 
made  for  mee  in  their  harts  (wch  I  acknowledg  with 
thankfullneffe  to  god  &  yorfelues:  I  doe  look  att  the  call 
of  god  in  the  prefent  call  call  to  mee  beeing  the  more  con- 
firmed hearin  by  the  concurrence  of  our  apprehenfhins, 
which  hathe  appeared  in  thof e  things  wee  haue  hadd  occa- 
fion  to  conferr  about,  conferning  our  entringe  into  &  pro- 
ceeding our  Church  affaires,  which  I  hope  the  lord  will 
enable  mee  to  practice  accordingly. 

Wherefore  while  yow  walke  according  to  gods  order  of 
the  gofpell,  &  in  the  ftedfaftneffe  of  the  Faith  in  Chrift 
And  I  see  that  with  a  good  Confhience  and  freedome  of 
fpirritt  I  can  carry  on  my  worke  and  difchardge  my  duty 
to  god  and  man  &  thofe  that  are  vnder  my  care  according 
to  the  refpectiue  relations  I  may  beare  vnto  them :  foe  long 
as  the  lord  is  calling  mee  to  labour  in  this  part  of  his  vine- 
yard ;  I  defire  to  giue  vpp  my  f elf e  to  the  lord  &  his  f er- 
uice  in  the  worke  of  the  minnif tery  in  this  place :  requeu- 
ing yow  to  ftriue  together  with  me  in  yor  praiers  to  god 
for  mee  that  it  may  redoune  to  his  glory,  yor  Edifiinge  & 


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IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  5 

of  Euery  foule  that  fhall  dwell  amounft  vs  and  for  our 
Joyf ull  accoumpt  in  the  day  of  Chrifts  appearance. 

By  mee :  John  Hale.1 

2 

An  Eminent  Deliverance  of  Mr.  Jn°  Hale  of  Beverly  & 
his  family  from  Lightning.2 

Febr:19,  1688/9 

His  relation  whereof  is  this.  My  wife,  two  maids  & 
two  children  were  by  y*  kitchen  fire ;  myself  with  Deacon 
Hill  in  my  study  &  hearing  ye  thunder  smart,  were  going 
down  to  Comfort  ye  family  &  as  we  came  to  ye  head  of  ye 
Staires  (D.  Hill  part  down)  we  were  both  struck  wth 
Lightning  in  our  right  Armes  &  right  Legs,  yet  neither 
of  us  heard  ye  thunder  or  saw  ye  Lightning;  He  was  less 
strook,  &  sooner  got  down  staires;  I  was  struck  down 
upon  my  knees,  by  y6  post  we  used  to  lay  hands  on,  as  we 
goe  up  &  down  staires  &  unable  to  stirr  for  some  time ; 
but  heard  som  of  my  family  crying  out  of  hurt  below ;  at 
last  I  got  down,  my  foot  as  it  were  dead,  &  leg  full  of 
paine,  but  wth  help  got  to  lie  down  on  a  bed ;  my  elbow 

i  In  a  book  of  this  kind  which  attempts  to  show  the  changes  that  grad- 
ually have  come  in  a  family's  life,  the  antiquated  spelling  and  long  "s" 
appeared  interesting  to  the  editor  and  they  have  been  carefully  reproduced. 
There  is,  however,  another  point  of  view  which  was  expressed  by  Mr.  Clar- 
ence S.  Bingham,  secretary  of  the  American  Antiquarian  Society,  from 
whose  opinion  the  editor  hesitates  to  differ.  Mr.  Bingham  writes:  "The 
method  of  reproducing  early  documents  has  been  changed  considerably  in 
recent  years.  The  American  Historical  Association,  this  Society  and  nearly 
all  of  the  leading  societies  today  have  given  up  the  exact  reproducing  of 
the  old-fashioned  's'  and  the  early  form  of  'ye.'  The  letter  <s'  was  not 
a  matter  at  any  time  of  lack  of  education,  but  was  simply  the  earlier  method 
of  both  writing  and  printing  that  letter.  .  .  In  the  same  way,  when 
earlier  writers  wrote  'ye'  they  intended  to  write  'the.'  The  'y'  was  not  a 
'y'  at  all,  but  was  the  old  Anglo-Saxon  thorn  represented  by  the  letters 
'th.'  "  This  explanation  of  Mr.  Bingham's  will  be  interesting  when  ex- 
amining the  facsimile  of  Eev.  John  Hale's  letter  of  acceptance,  where  the 
'th'  appears  in  an  early  form.  As  the  long  's'  was  used  by  the  editor  when 
a  girl  when  writing  "Miss"  and  "Messrs,"  the  gradual  passing  of  the 
fashion  seemed  worth  indicating. 

2  From  manuscript  of  Mr.  Charles  Woodberry. 


6  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

seemed  out  of  joynt,  &  Arm  hung  down  like  a  stick;  wth 
mch  paine  in  it,  but  my  fingers  seemed  dead:  I  have  a 
bruise  on  my  face,  but  suppose  it  might  be  wth  my  fall. 
In  less  yn  hour  I  found  life  in  all  my  limbs,  &  that  no  bone 
was  broken  or  joynt,  unless  some  small  starting  out  of  a 
bone  in  my  wrist  (praised  be  ye  Lord)  I  find  ye  post  I  was 
by,  shivered  on  3  sides.  But  to  come  to  ye  Rest;  y6  Light- 
ning came  down  y€  chimney,  brake  out  some  bricks  just 
above  ye  mantle  tree ;  Hurt  my  wife  and  English  maid  on 
their  heads,  &  ye  negro  on  her  right  Arm,  yet  all  pretty 
well  againe  (thro'  mercy)  it  bowed  out  two  paines  of 
glass  in  y*  kitchen,  but  brake  out  no  glass  &  on  ye  other 
side  of  ye  house  beat  out  y6  bottom  of  a  paile,  and  touched 
several!  pewter  platters :  on  ye  top  of  ye  kitchen  Chimney 
it  brake  out  20  bricks:  and  on  y6  other  side  of  ye  roof 
made  an  hole  about  8  foot  long  &  then  beat  out  y*  North 
end  of  ye  kitchen  about  8  foot  long  &  3  foot  wide,  &  tore 
out  many  other  boards  at  y*  end.  Without  doors  it  killed 
me  a  cow,  and  in  ye  stable  one  Lamb  w°h  the  Lord  accepted 
of  instead  of  our  lives.  How  unsearchable  are  his  ways 
&  paths  past  finding  out  &c.  I  find  no  mark  on  my  body 
but  a  blue  spot  on  my  heele  a  |  of  an  inch  long  &  |  so 
wide  &  somewhat  sore  &  one  spot  on  ye  sole  of  my  foote 
but  not  sore. 

Taken  out  of  his  own  Letter  sent  to 
his  Bro :  Wilson  in  Charlestowne. 


Dr.  Robert  Hale   to  Bennett   Swayne,   Sr.,  London, 

Ipfwich  Novemb.  25.  1691 


England.1 


Ever  Honoured 
Sr 
I  know  not  whether  any  Hiftr'y  frd  mee  ever  arriv'd 
att  yr  hands  however  am  loth  to  loof  se  ye  Opportunity  of 
making  this  second  prefent  of  my  humble  Service  to  yr 
Self  &  yr  Confort  &  account  my  Self  So  far  Happy  yl 
nature  has  Given  me  a  right  to  call  your  Selves  Unkle  & 
Aunt  ye1  hope  Shall  not  be  unmindfull  of  my  proper  dif- 
tance  but  know  yl  A  greate  obfequioufnef s  &  nothing  lesse 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  7 

than  Duty  is  owing  from  me  to  ye  Brother  &  Sifter  of 
my  Grandmother  —  &  Sr  Shou'd  be  Glad  of  an  Oppor- 
tunity to  manifeft  my  Self  dutefull  towards  you.  Sr  If 
you  would  so  far  condifcend  as  to  fignifie  to  yr  Son  Mr 
Bennett  Swayn  yl  Its  yr  Defire  yl  Diftance  of  Place 
Should  not  vacate  ye  Nearnefse  &  Confanguinity  yl  yere 
is  Between  himfelf  &  mee  (Pardon  Sr  my  Great  bold- 
nefse)  I  Should  account  myfelf  Greatly  honoured  to  be 
taken  notice  of  by  him  &  farther  I  would  not  leff  earnef t- 
ly  or  humbly  requeft  yr  prayers  to  God  yl  If  I  Should  be 
fo  Unfortunate  as  to  be  a  Stranger  to  ye  perfon  of  the 
moft  of  thofe  who  are  of  ye  Family  of  y6  Swaynes  yet  I 
may  be  no  Stranger  to  yr  Religion.  That  y*  faith  wch 
Dwelt  In  my  Grandmothers  predecefsors  &  Kindred  may 
Likewife  dwell  In  mee.  My  honoured  Grandmother  is  a 
very  Sorrowfull  woman  having  lately  heard  ye  Doleful 
tidings  of  my  Unkle  Hall's  Death.  God  Grant  her  Aged 
hairs  go  not  to  ye  Grave  In  Sorrow,  my  father  is  with  his 
family  In  health,  the  Troubles  &Miferies  of  New-England 
are  Such  as  require  a  larg  Hiftory  Ipfwich  Is  Still  pre- 
ferred But  has  as  moft  other  Towns  in  this  Colony  Loft 
many  of  yr  moft  warlike  men  by  War  &  Sicknefs  Sr  you 
cannot  well  Imagine  ye  Danger  to  be  Great1"  than  it  is  wch 
Confideration  will  I  doubt  not  move  you  to  be  Earneft 
with  him  who  is  ye  Savir  of  Israeli  In  time  of  Trouble 
In  behalf  of  all  Gods  people  here  Efpecially  for  yr  Aged 
Sift1*  &  I  hubly  beg  yr  prayers  &  Bleffing  for  yr  Unworthy 
Nephew  R.  Hale 


Dr.  Robert  Hale's  grandmother,  originally  Rebecca 
(Swayne)  Byley,  but  at  the  date  of  this  letter  the  wife 
of  her  fourth  husband,  Dep.  Governor  Samuel  Symonds, 
and  about  eighty  years  old,  married  for  her  second 
husband  Mr.  John  Hall,  of  Salisbury,  Mass.,  and  had  one 
son,  John  Hall,  born  January  18,  1641-2,  who  became  a 
wealthy  goldsmith  of  London,  England.  At  his  death  in 
1691,  he  bequeathed  to  Dr.  Robert  Hale,  his  step-nephew, 
"my  five  volumes  of  Poole's  Synopsis  Criticorum,  Ains- 
worth's  Annotations  and  Mellificium  Theologicum."    At 


8  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

that  time  Dr.  Robert  was  studying  divinity,  but  he  after- 
wards became  a  physician.    Mr.  John  Hall  left  a  large 
property  to  his  widow  and  to  his  only  child,  Elizabeth. 
Dr.  Robert  Hale  to  Mrs.  John  Hall,  London,  England.1 

Ipswich  June  17th  1692 

Honoured  Aunt 

My  Grandmother  Showed  me  a  Lett1"  wherein  you  In- 
form that  a  Legacy  was  bequeathed  mee  by  my  Deceafed 
Unkle  whofe  worthy  &  precious  memory  I  Shall  ever  re- 
tain &  Should  have  done  without  the  having  Such  a  mem- 
orandum of  him.  Madam  I  account  my  self  bereaved  of 
a  fonde  &  kind  Unkle  a  bountifull  mecenas  &  patron  of 
Learning  by  his  Death  &  can  as  heartily  &  truly  mourn  as 
any,  Wth  thofe  who  mourn  for  him;  alas!  had  I  thought 
I  Should  So  Soon  been  deprived  of  So  great  &  good  a 
freind;  affection  &  Intereft  Should  have  broke  thofe 
bonds  of  bafhfulnefs  which  So  oft  tied  my  hand  from 
writing  to  him :  but  I  see  my  Unkles  goodnef  s  was  Such  as 
that  he  has  cancelled  all  that  difpleafure  He  conceived 
for  my  neglect  on  that  account.  God  knows  I  ever  bare 
a  gratefull  heart  &  the  thanks  I  returned  him  for  his 
kindnefs  to  mee  during  his  life  were  ever  unfeigned  & 
for  that  demonftration  of  his  good  will  ^affection  to  mee 
alas  my  thanks  can  no  more  be  given  him  but  to  yrSelf 
Good  Lady  I  return  my  hearty  thanks :  I  take  good  notice 
of  my  Unkles  defign  in  his  Gifts  to  me.  viz :  to  promote 
Learning  &  ye  beft  of  Sciences  Divinity  wch  Shall  be  an 
Incitation  to  mee  to  perfue  thofe  Studies;  the  prefent 
Danger  of  the  Seas  is  Such  as  that  I  Shall  defer  to  Send 
for  the  books:  my  Grandmother  thro  ye  mercy  of  God 
enjoyes  a  good  health,  confidering  her  years  &  greifs: 
Madam  pray  prefent  my  Service  &  Refpects  to  Mr  Rogers 
&  my  Coufen  on  whom  In  juftice  ye  Relative  affection  I 
bare  my  unkle  (that  Relation  ceafing  Muft  defcend  &  I 
hope  yl  Shall  never  happen  that  any  Eftrangerat  Shall 
bee  In  mee  to  ye  Daughter  of  So  munificent  an  Unkle  to 
one  So  near  related.  I  Shall  no  further  trouble  you  att 
prefent  but  pray  that  thofe  Gracious  promifes  contriv'd 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  9 

on  purpofe  for  ye  Confolation  of  the  Widdow  may  be 
confirmed  to  you  that  the  Joy  &  Hapiness  of  my  Coufens 
may  enduring  &  Increafing  that  ye  covenant  &  prom- 
ifes  compacted  wth  ye  faithfull  may  be  ratified  with  their 
hopefull  Branch,  my  Loving  Coufen  So  prayes  Madam 
yr  obliged  Nephew  Robert  Hale 


Dr.  Robert  Hale  to  Bennett  Swayne,  Jr.,  London, 
England.1 

Ipfwich  Novemb :  25  1692 
Worthy  Sr 

the  near  Relation  between  My  Grandmother  &  yr  Self 
obliges  &  the  Information  Same  Gives  me  of  yr  Worth  & 
Goodnes  Emboldens  &  make  mee  defirous  of  farther 
Knowledg  of  yr  Self  wch  Since  It  cannot  be  obtained  in 
ye  way  wch  I  should  moftly  defire  by  reafon  of  ye  Great 
Diftance  between  Europe  &  America  I  have  adventured 
a  few  lines  wth  tend1-  of  Service  to  yr  Self.  Sr  If  you 
would  Pleafe  to  honr  wth  a  line  from  yr  hand  If  but  only 
in  ye  nature  of  yl  yor  Receipt  of  this  &  alfo  of  ye  health 
&  Welfare  of  yr  honoured  father  &  mother  &  yr  own  I 
Should  be  greatly  obliged  &  be  ready  to  wait  on  you  by 
writing  or  to  Serve  you  in  any  thing  I  am  capable  of  My 
Grandmother  has  already  written  to  you  She  enjoyes 
comfortable  health  thru'  Gods  mercy  but  is  full  of  Sor- 
row for  her  Great  lofs  her  Son  &  hee  being  dead  &  her 
Stay  wth  him ;  In  Refpect  of  wl  Support  She  had  by  her 
Income  In  England  her  neceffities  are  like  perhaps  to  be 
Great1"  If  that  fail  her  (tho  but  a  Small  matter)  yn  her 
freinds  can  readily  Imagine.  I  need  not  say  If  you  will 
pleafe  to  engage  care  in  [illegible]  that  Affair  you  will 
have  a  Widdows  &  Aunts  Bleffing  the  Fears  &  Dangers 
Troubles  of  New-England  are  Great,  you  are  Sr  perhaps 
of  itt  Informed  from  bettr  hands  Let  yl  raife  yr  hands  in 
Supplicatio  for  Gods  People  here  &  for  mee  [illegible] 
So  Subfcribe  my  Self  in  ye  Bond  of  love  &  [illegible]  yr 
Coufen  Robert  Hale 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


10  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

6 

Dr.  Robert  Hale  to  Rev.  John  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass.1 

Prefton.  22d  11th  1693 
Ever  Honoured 

•  Father  —  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  yr  own  health  of  my 
freinds  you  would  know  whither  I  intend  to  continue 
here  at  prefton  wch  I  cannot  Resolve  but  yt  its  my  defire 
&  prayer  that  I  may  Somewhere  be  ufefull  but  whither 
I  can  Long  hold  itt  I  know  not  I  find  myfelf  born  to 
trouble  yl  if  one  be  Remitted  itt  pleafeth  God  Some  other 
is  Renewed  by  wch  my  health  is,  much  Impaired  yl  I  can 
bare  very  little  study  or  other  bufinefs  &  diversities  I 
have  none,    ye  Lord  help  mee  Seeing  ye  vanity  &  vexa- 
tion attending  all  things  I  may  make  Sure  of  more  Dur- 
able Comforts  &  grant  mee  joy  &  powe  In  Himfelf  I 
find  myfelf  heir  to  my  mothers  Diftempers  would  to  God 
I  might  of  her  Graces     I  fear  whether  ye  foundation 
I  build  on  be  Sure  itts  not  all  performances  &  [illeg- 
ible] unles  God  has  wrought  a  reall  chang  &  Implanted  a 
principle  of  true  holinefs  y1  will  avail  in  ye  fear  of  this 
but  Efpecially  to  my  Sorrow  Some  other  troubles  wch 
work  Death  make  mee  Go  up  &  down  in  ye  bitternefs  of 
my  Soul,  ye  Lord  help  mee  y*  I  may  Endure  Temptation 
&  with  patience  may  bare  ye  crofs  I  may  rather  be  will- 
ing to  lofe  life  yn  ye  End  of  Living  if  I  muft  choofe  only 
of  thefe  two,  but  I  dare  not  complain  I  am  too  apt  to  mur- 
mur &  to  forgett  y*  I  ought  to  bear  ye  Indignation  of  ye 
Lord  &  y*  I  am  punifhed  far  less  &  to  say  with  holy  [illeg- 
ible] tho  God  deftroy  me  yet  I  am  Sure  he  deferves  my 
thanks :  yea  hee  has  not  wholly  Shut  out  my  prayer  nor 
disregarded  my  tears  but  I  will  not  write  this  to  trouble 
you  but  to  Xcite  you  to  pray  Still  for  mee.     I  Received  a 
Lett1-  from  my   Grandmoth1"   who   writes   among   other 
things  y*  she  has  not  seen  you  since  I  was  with  her.     My 
Unkle  Dodg  I  cant  now  write  to  him  pleafe  Remembr 
mee  to  him  I  could  give  you  many  Sufficient  Reafons  why 
I  have  not  yet  procurd  for  yr  Self  or  him  any  skins  but 
I  will  Employ  Some  facr  for  him  heer  If  I  can  &  Get 
you  Some  ye  firft  opportunity  I  wifli  much  Joy  to  ye  new 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  11 

married  Give  my  love  to  ym  &  [illegible]  Love  &  Refpects 
to  othr  my  freinds  viz  Deacon  Hill  [illegible]  Grover  Rich- 
ards &  others  of  ym  I  thank  you  for  yr  pains  about  my 
Concerns  tho  att  prefent  I  have  little  Concern  about  itt 
but  would  further  propofe  y*  Mr  Swain  be  wrot  unto  to 
Get  a  Teftimony  from  his  father  yl  he  by  order  Delivered 
y6  feoffment  to  Mr  Halls  Cuftody.  I  have  not  a  pretty 
while  seen  Mr  Noyce 1  yey  are  vifited  wth  a  very  mortall 
fevr  att  Stonington  wch  they  know  not  well  w*  to  make  of 
my  Unkles  family  were  laft  week  all  in  health  but 
some  did  Shew  weekly  Generally  lufty  young  perfons 
wee  are  as  yet  free  In  Prefton  from  itt  thro  Gods  Good- 
nefs  ye  Lord  fitt  us  for  all  ye  iffues  of  providence  wch 
Concern  us.  My  Duty  to  yrSelf  Loving  Mother  love  to 
my  little  brother 

I  Remain  [illegible]  ing  ye  Continuance  of  yr  prayers 

yr  Unworthy  Son  R  Hale 

I  have  Since  writing  hereof  procured  a  couple  of  Skins 
one  buck  &  a  fawn  Skin,  they  are  not  yet  Smoakt  wch 
may  be  done  by  Laying  ym  up  in  yr  Chimney  a  Sufficient 
diftance  from  ye  fire.  If  yey  Sute  not  yr  furr  Let  Unkle 
Dodg  have  ym  &  I  will  ere  long  procure  you  two  doe 
Skins 


Dr  Robert  Hale  to  Mr  Lane,  Mr.  Franklyn  and  Mr. 
Bond,  London,  England.2 

To  Mr  Lane 

W  Franklyn  lf  London 

Mr.  Bond 
Gentlemen 

1  confes  its  a  boldnefs  in  mee  to  draw  Such  trouble  on 
yrfelves  as  to  be  attorneys  for  one  I  suppose  you  never 
saw  or  heard  of  Mr  Jos.  Mirion  adviz'd  &  Encourag'd 
mee  soe  to  do.  I  hope  itt  will  please  God  to  continue  Mr 
Swain  of  Charterhouf e  yard  in  Alderf gate  East  Lond  then 

i  Probably  Re,v.  James  Noyes,  brother  of  Rev.  John  Hale's  second  wife. 
See  Noyes-Gilman  Ancestry,  18. 

2  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


Boston  May  25th  1698 


12  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

whom  no  ma  can  better  &  more  Satiffactorily  manage 
my  affairs  for  mee  but  all  men  are  mortall  &  I  having  no 
othr  peri'on  to  Undertake  ye  Care  of  itt  think  itt  uncer- 
tain &  unfaf e  which  depends  on  any  ones  Life.  I  Intreat 
yl'elves  In  case  Mr.  S  Should  faill  forthwith  to  Entr 
upon  &  take  care  of  ye  Eftate  belonging  to  mee  — which 
Eftate  whatt  &  where  itt  is  &  of  my  title  Mr  Mirion  will 
Inform  you  I  hope,  but  leaft  he  forgett  pleafe  from  mee 
to  know  — Tis  an  houfe  with  Some  lefser  buildings 
termed  Small  Tenements  with  a  Tanyard  Gardens  &  2 
orchards.  ye  Buildings  are  in  Castle  Street  in  N  Sarii  & 
ye  other  mentioned  appurtenances  in  ye  same  place  except 
one  orchard  is  I  think  not  in  y*  Street  but  over  ye  River 
Avon  — opposite  ye  other  — ye  Title  I  have  is  — yt  in  ye 
year  1638  —  or  thereabouts  a  Certain  Deed  of  feoffment 
was  made  to  Henry  &  Rebeckah  Biley  (both  then  there 
Dwelling)  &  to  their  Heirs,  ye  said  Couple  had  Children 
Henry  (who  Dec*1  Unmarried)  &  Rebeckah  afterwards 
married  to  Mr  Joh  Hale  of  Beverly  in  N.  Eng1.— which 
woman  is  Deceafed  leaving  no  other  Child  behind  her 
than  myself —  an  Authentick  Coppy  of  ye  feofrW  is  now 
in  Mr  Swains  hand,  as  alfo  divers  affidavits  &  Tefti- 
monials  which  prove  my  Title  ye  Orig  in  ye  hands  of  ye 
Executrix  of  J  Hall  of  Islington  [illegible]  pretended  to 
be  loft.  &  Gentlemen  I  pray  you  keep  ye  Letter  of  Attor- 
ney by  you  &  If  need  Require  accept  ye  Trouble  &  you 
shall  be  Satisfyed  &  you  will  oblige  yr  Servant 

Robert  Hale 

8 
Dr.  Robert  Hale  to  Bennett  Swayne,  London,  Eng- 

1  f\  77  Ci 

Beverly  May  28.  1698 

Honoured  Sir 

I  hope  you  have  or  will  Speedily  Receive  by  Mr  Whit- 
tingham  my  Letter  in  anfwer  to  yors  of  June  —  97  —  In 
which  I  wrote  for  divers  Medicines  (if  itt  be  not  to  much 
trouble  to  you)  to  be  sent  or  elfe  to  send  what  effects  are 
of  mine  in  yr  hands.  In  black  Sattin  floured  &  plain  of 
each  alike  quantity  to  be  put  into  a  Rufsia  leathr  Trunk  & 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  13 

to  be  left  for  mee  wth  Mr  Edward  Deering  Mercht  In  Bos- 
ton—  &  also  desire  you  would  send  att  least  in  Generall 
what  value  my  Eftate  att  Sarum  is  of  what  itt  Anually 
Rents  for  &  what  ye  Incomes  &  difburfements  of  itt  for 
some  years  laft  payts  have  been  &  ye  names  of  ye  Tenants. 
&  alio  yr  advice  whether  I  were  not  beft  sell  itt  which  my 
Freinds  advize  mee  too  —  &  I  have  defired  Mr  Jofeph 
Mirian  by  ye  bearer  hereof  (a  man  Imployed  by  many 
here  about  Eftates  In  England)  to  discourfe  wth  yrself 
about  itt  &  to  know  whether  yrfelf  would  Incline  to  buy 
itt  or  if  not  when  in  his  Travells  he  pafses  thro  Salis- 
bury to  make  Some  Enquiry  there  &  would  pray  yr  direc- 
tion of  him  how  he  Shall  moft  readily  come  to  some 
knowledg  whatt  &  where  itt  is.  &  pleafe  to  Lett  him  have 
a  Sight  of  y*  feofm*  &  of  ye  writings  of.  not  yl  I  have  or 
Intend  to  Empower  him  (Unless  yrfelf  were  difposed 
to  purchafe)  mine  wth  you  Releafing  to  my  title  to  itt, 
to  sell  itt.  I  have  not  desired  him  to  Go  on  purpofe  to  ye 
place  but  to  take  itt  in  his  way  which  I  suppofe  he  will 
expect  some  Requitall  for  &  I  muft  perhaps  order  him  to 
yrfelf  for  hereafter  for  his  Stay  in  England  is  I  under- 
hand Like  to  be  above  one  if  not  two  years  —  I  pray  Sr 
you  would  Still  Continue  yr  care  for  mee.  wee  are  thro' 
mercy  in  Good  Health  in  this  Family  my  fathr  has  writ- 
ten alfo  to  you  by  ye  Same  Conveyance.  Coz  Dr  Phelps 
Is  Ship1  for  Guinea1 — wee  expect  a  viffitt  from  him  be- 
fore he  Goes  —  y*  Generall  peace  Cloncuded  in  Europe 
has  not  wholly  Finifht  or  Warrs  —  or  bad  Indian  Neigh- 
brs  have  done  Spoil  upon  us  more  then  once  Since  that. 
I  add  no  more  att  prefent  but  with  my  best  Refpects  & 
Service  to  yr  self  &  yr  Good  Lady  — 
I  remain  yr  Humble  Serv*  Robert  Hale 


2  This  refers  to  the  slave-trade  on  the  Guinea  coast.  Dr.  Robert  Hale 
was  not  more  scrupulous  than  his  contemporaries  about  the  treatment  given 
the  Indians  and  the  Negroes  by  the  New  Englanders  of  his  time. 


14  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 


Dr   Robert   Hale   to   Bennett   Swayne,  Jr.,   London, 
England.1 

July 
Bolton  ye  5th  1699 

Worthy  Sr 

Underftanding  by  yr  Laft  to  mee  that  there  could  be 
nothing  for  ye  prefent  done  farther  about  my  affairs  att 
Sarum  as  to  ye  Sale  of  itt  &c  &  that  you  would  take  ye 
utmoft  care  thereabout  has  made  mee  ye  more  Remifs  in 
Writing  to  yrSelf  not  willing  to  give  you  any  trouble  that 
was  needlefs  so  have  writt  to  you  only  one  Short  Script 
(Since  y°  Receiving  of  ye  Trunk  of  Medicines)  pr  Mr 
Joseph  Mirion  &  perhapps  may  be  accouted  for  Remifs 
which  I  Shall  Endeavr  ye  amendment  of  I  thank  you  Sr 
for  ye  care  in  what  was  Laft  Sent  pr  Cpl  Prennot  &  ye 
care  in  all  other  Refpects  relating  to  my  affairs.  Intreat 
y6  Continuance  of  ye  Same  &  that  you  would  pleafe  to 
Send  me  word  now  Whether  itt  be  more  feafsable  to 
make  Sale  of  itt  my  freinds  here  Still  advize  mee  to  itt 
&  whereas  yrSelf  writes  that  doubtlefs  iff  Such  a  thing 
be  attempted  Mr  Byley  will  put  mee  to  a  New  Trouble 
but  Sir  if  you  think  itt  probable  that  Sometime  hereafter 
I  may  do  itt  without  any  moleftation  for  my  part  I  am 
affraid  itt  may  be  as  bad  then  as  now  yea  would  be  worfe 
if  providence  Should  So  order  that  I  may  not  have  So 
Good  a  freind  there  to  act  for  mee  as  now  I  hope  I  have, 
but  Sr  I  pray  let  mee  Underftand  what  yr  advice  may 
farther  bee  in  that  matter  &  pleafe  to  Inform  mee  what 
you  are  Reimburfed  of  y*  Rents  that  were  behind  &  have 
become  due  Since  you  wrott.  my  father  &  freinds  here 
are  thro  Divine  Goodnefs  in  Good  health  as  I  am  alfo. 
Sr  I  Should  be  glad  if  in  any  thing  I  could  Serve  you 
which  I  would  to  my  Utmoft.  I  Intreat  y*  Sr  you  prefent 
my  Duty  to  yr  honoured  ffather  if  yet  Living  &  with  my 
Service  to  yr  Self  &  Good  Lady  I  Remain  yr 

obliged  Kinfman  &  humble 
Serv*  Robert  Hale 


i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  15 

10 

It  is  evident  from,  the  preceding  letters  that  there  had 
been  trouble  in  taking  care  of  the  Byley  property  through 
Bennett  Swayne  and  his  son.  The  next  letter  is  to  a 
member  of  the  large  and  prosperous  family  of  Dr.  Robert 
Hale's  step-uncle,  John  Hall.  The  Byley,  Hall  and 
Swayne  wills  in  "Waters'  Genealogical  Gleanings"  give 
interesting  details  about  their  property  in  London  and 
elsewhere. 

Dr.  Robert  Hale  to Hall,  London,  England.1 

Bofton  July  ye  6th  1699 
Ever  Honoured  Sir 

I  cannot  but  account  myself  bound  in  Duty  to  send 
thefe  few  lines  to  yrself  confidering  ye  Relation  you  bare 
to  her  who  was  while  living  my  Grandmother  and  not 
only  is  my  Affection  to  you  Collateral!  but  have  a  Ven- 
eration for  that  Virtue  &  piety  that  have  been  Informed 
Refide  in  yrself  as  by  ye  Report  of  Such  as  know  you  & 
by  y*  many  Excellent  &  Pious  Epiftles  Sent  to  my  Grand- 
mother in  former  &  Later  years  which  have  mySelf  Seen 
&  Still  keep  by  mee  tis  not  to  Ingratiate  myself  to  procure 
any  Earthly  benefitt  from  yr  Self  that  I  so  much  write 
tho  In  thofe  Respects  you  have  Done  that  Even  Long  be- 
fore I  was  born  that  may  prove  a  benefitt  I  hope  to  mee. 
I  mean  In  taking  upon  you  ye  trouble  of  being  feoffee  to  y* 
Small  Eftate  att  Saru  wch  care  I  Shall  not  Requeft  ye 
continuance  of  Leaft  I  Should  seem  to  forgett  yr  Great 
Age  &  how  Unreafonably  troublefome  I  Should  bee  in 
Such  a  Requeft.  but  Sir  I  hubly  Requeft  yr  prayers  & 
blefsing  that  hee  thatt  has  been  yr  God  &  ye  God  of  my 
Grandmother  may  Vouchfafe  to  be  mine  alfoe  &  may  be- 
ftow  y*  Same  Covenant  Blefsings  upon  mee  that  he  has 
on  yrSelves  Amen.  My  father  is  thro  Mercy  in  Good 
health  has  married  his  third  wife  Is  I  hope  Succeffull 
in  his  Miniftry  many  being  frequently  added  to  ye  Church 
over  which  ye  Holy  Ghoft  has  made  him  Overfeer  for  my 
own  part  bodily  weaknefs  has  made  mee  Leave  that  belt 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


16  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

of  Employmts  &  to  betake  myfelf  to  ye  Study  &  Practice 
of  Phifick  —  a  Grandfon  of  Mr  Batts  is  ye  ordained  min- 
ifter  of  ye  Numerous  Chch  of  Newberry  I  Suppofe  you 
have  heard  that  Mr  Harlackenden  Symonds  Died  near 
two  years  ago.  thro  Divine  Mercy  Wee  have  enjoy  free- 
dom from  war  with  ye  barbarous  Salvages  Sr  I  Requeft 
yr  pardon  If  by  thefe  Lines  I  have  been  too  troublefome 
&  Remain  yr  Dutifull  Nephew  Robert  Hale 

11 
Dr.  Robert  Hale  to  Bennett  Swayne,   Jr.,   London, 
England.1 

Beverly  September  y€  2d  1702 
Honoured  Sir 

I  wrott  twice  to  yr  Self  Since  ye  Receipt  of  yr  laft  of 
Apr  1701  &  in  thofe  Letters  I  signified  my  Compliance  wth 
yr  proffer  of  100  lb  for  my  intereft  at  Sarum  praying  you 
would  farther  confider  mee  if  you  could  fee  Reafon  for 
it  you  having  Seen  &  therefore  knowing  what  it  is  worth 
but  I  Shall  not  farther  urge  that  Confideration  but  leave 
it  with  you:  &  if  you  Send  over  ye  Dedimus  you  men- 
tioned will  do  what  is  proper  on  my  part  for  confirmation 
of  ye  bargain  at  ye  price  you  propofed — but  Expect  you 
will  be  at  all  ye  Charg  of  writings  or  what  Elfe  is  need- 
full  for  confirmation  of  yr  Title  will  be  payable  in  Eng- 
land as  what  muft  bee  difburfed  here  on  that  accompt.    I 
defire  ye  anfwer  as  Soon  as  may  bee  [illegible]   &  So 
divers  of  thofe  other  things  by  my  laft  layd  before  you 
as  whither  if  need  bee  you  will  into  ye  bargain  Inveft  ye 
100lb  for  mee  as  I  fhall  order..  &  that  Seeing  ye  Rent  of 
ye  living  will  be  due  to  mee  till  ye  Day  yl  ye  mony  is 
payd  to  my  Order  at  wch  Date  perhapps  many  pounds 
or  monthes  Rent  may  be  due  which  you  have  not  then 
actually  Received  what  you  will  allow  att  adventture  pr 
month  or  pr  anum  to  mee  for  Such  arrears  &  deliver  it 
at  ye  Same  time  for  I  would  Gladly  have  but  one  work 
&  Likewife  what  you  will  allow  for  old  arrears  of  which 
I  find  by  yr  Letters  many  pounds  are  behind  as  30  lb  you 
Said  from  one  man  &  So  divers  parcells  from  others  wch 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  17 

tho  Defperate  Debts  yet  perhaps  you  may  one  time  or 
other  come  att  a  part  of.  Let  mee  know  yr  mind  about 
thefe  particulars  as  to  ye  propofall  of  trade  I  made  you 
Seeing  ye  warrs  are  now  broke  out  I  Shall  not  Reiterate 
by  yr  laft  accts  find  that  I  then  Remained  7lb-ll-2y2  all 
which  being  Received  Sept.  99  &  you  having  at  writeing 
yr  Laft  Received  but  6lb  more  Since  but  before  this  wch 
is  now  near  3  years  from  Sep*  99  hope  you  have  confid- 
erable.  whatever  it  be  more  or  lefs  pray  Inveft  it  for 
mee  in  Good  bolts  of  Hollands  Duck  Canvas  of  wch  Shall 
have  need  &  Direct  yr  letter  &  goods  to  be  left  wth  Mr 
Jonathan  Pollard  Mercht  in  Bofton  for  conveyance  to 
mee  —  ye  length  of  time  Since  yrs  I  laftReceivd  above  men- 
tioned makes  mee  miftruft  whether  any  be  Intercepted 
Therefore  I  would  pray  y*  if  you  have  Sent  but  one  let- 
ter Since  yl  &  See  Reafon  to  Sufpect  you  would  inclofe 
ye  Letter  in  one  to  Mr  Pollard  aforesd  for  conveyance  — 
were  it  not  for  ye  prefent  diftance  I  am  at  from  Bofton 
(where  ye  Small  pox  is  now  very  frequent  &  mortall)  I 
would  prefent  you  with  a  Small  book  of  my  fathers x  [il- 
legible] lately  printed  at  Bofton  but  hope  Shall  have 
[illegible]  opportunity  for  it  can  only  prefent  with  this 
my  Service  to  yr  Self  &  your  Good  Lady  &  Refpects  to  yr 
Son  (of  whom  I  never  heard_but  by  Mr.  Nath  Higginfon 
who  was  with  you  ye  Laft  Sumer)  I  am  yr  humble  Servant 

Robert  Hale 

12 

Dr.  Robert  Hale  to  Thomas  Blattsoe.2 

Bofton  January  13th  1703 
Mr  Blattfoe  Sir 

Upon  ye  Small  Acquaintance  I  have  had  with  yrfelf  I 
Draw  ye  trouble  of  a  Little  bufinefs  upon  you.  the  affair 
tho  Small  yet  of  great  moment  to  one  of  So  Small  an 
Eftate  as  I  am  therefore  trufting  in  yr  fidellity  &  Requeu- 
ing y*  beft  care  in  ye  matter  proceed  to  Inform  you  that 
I  have  Sent  a  Small  Box  of  writings  by  ye  frigatt  Cp* 
Horn  Comander  ye  box  Directed  by  writing  on  each  Side 

i  Rev.  John  Hale  died  May  15,  1700. 

2  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


18  A  FAMILY  HISTOEY 

to  yrfelf  or  Afsignees  which  Box  you  may  pleafe  to  Open 
&  you  will  there  find  a  writing  Sealed  up  &  Directed  to 
Qpt  yym  Holborton  or  in  cafe  he  arrive  not  to  yorself 
which  Seal  is  to  be  broke  up  by  no  man  but  Cp1  Holbor- 
ton Unlefs  he  fail  of  Arrival  &  if  So  then  by  yrfelf  other 
writings  you  wil  See  are  a  Conveyance  of  Eftate  from  me 
to  Mr  Bennet  Swain  who  is  a  Mercm  Dwelling  in  Charter- 
houfe  yard  near  Aldersgate  London  —  But  when  I  Sold 
or  by  Letter  promifed  to  Sell  him  ye  Said  Eftate  for 
100lb  twas  with  this  Provifo  that  ye  Rents  alfo  of  it 
Should  come  to  mee  till  Such  time  as  he  had  paid  ye 
mony  to  me  or  my  Order.  So  that  you  muf t  by  no  meanes 
Let  Mr  Swain  have  ye  writings  nor  Holborton  go  before 
my  Lord  Cheif  Juftice  to  give  Affidavit  till  Such  time  as 
you  have  Reckoned  with  Mr  Swain  &  he  has  Given  me 
creddit  &  promife  or  note  Under  his  hand  to  pay  to  my 
Order  what  Rent  is  Due  untill  ye  Day  yl  you  So  accomp- 
table  him  ye  Accompt  is  as  f olloweth  from  Under  his  own 
hand  viz  Dr  Robert  Hale  Dr 
To  Druggs  Sent  by  Cap1  Bolftin  Aug1  30 

1700 £  17—18—6 

To  Taxes  allowed  Smith  for  one  year 

1700 __0l_l6— 

To  Holland  Duck  pr  ye  Ruth  ffrigat  July 

20  1702 33—10—10 


52—15—04 


Pr  Contra  Cr 
Sent  him  on  Accompt  Dec  30  1699  yn  Due 

to  him £  10—07—3y2 

By  Jn°  Smith  for  1  year  Due  29  Sep1. 

1700 12—    — 

By  Norleigh 02—    — 

By  Day 03—02—03 

By  Smith  in  full  to  20th  Sep1.  1701 10— 00— 4y2 

By  Afhly  in  full  to  Sep1.  29  1701 02    —    — 


39 09 11 

To  Ball    £     13—05—02 


52—15—  1 
Now  Sir  pleafe  to  mind  that  my  Bargain  &  promife  by 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  19 

Letter  to  him  was  to  Sell  him  my  Eftate  in  Sara  for  100  lb 
but  y1  ye  Rents  Should  be  mine  till  Such  time  as  he  had 
payd  ye  100lb  to  my  Order  for  all  tho  as  is  necefsary  for 
form  Sake  I  have  on  ye  end  of  Deeds  Endorfed  a  Re- 
ceipt of  y*  100  as  you  See  yet  it  is  not  paid  mee  already 
but  he  has  Sent  me  his  Note  which  I  herewith  Enclofe  to 
pay  mee  ye  100lb  Sterling  as  you  will  See  but  Did  not 
write  So  particularly  asldefired  but  only  inGenerall  that 
what  arrears  he  could  he  would  Get  in  as  Soon  as  pof  sible 
by  which  I  fuppofe  he  means  as  I  do  but  am  not  certain 
for  there  are  old  arrears  Due  for  many  yeares  before 
this  Accompt  for  which  you  will  alfo  afk  him  —  So  that 
in  Sum  the  Bufinefs  is  this  for  yrfelf  to  Go  to  Mr  Swain 
&  acquaint  him  that  I  have  Sent  ye  writings  Executed  & 
that  he  Deliver  you  ye  100d  pound  &  wl  old  Arrears  he 
has  Received  and  alfo  all  Rents  Due  till  that  Day  and  for 
Such  part  of  yl  latter  as  he  has  not  yet  Received  that  he 
pay  after  ye  Rate  of  about  13  or  14lb  pr  Annu  or  there- 
abouts which  I  think  is  Generally  ye  Annuall  Income  clear 
of  charg  I  Suppofe  you  will  find  that  he  has  Received  ye 
moft  part  till  Sep1  1703  &  for  half  a  year  more  viz  till 
March  29  1704  you  may  compound  wth  him  for  Lef s  Some- 
thing then  ye  about  ye  Lay  of  14  pounds  per  haf  yra  for 
12  lbs  pr  annum  for  he  being  Diftant  from  Salisbury  Does 
not  Review  ye  Rents  Sometimes  in  a  year  after  yey  be- 
come Due  —  becaufe  I  would  have  it  all  Invefted  at  once 
&  have  no  farther  trouble  about  ye  Rent  after  I  have  Sold 
ye  principle  —  but  If  Mr  Swain  Shall  Say  yl  not  having 
yet  Received  —  he  will  Deliver  no  more  than  what  is  in 
handes  of  Rent  with  ye  100Ib  &  by  noat  under  hand  to  you 
for  me  Engage  paym1  of  all  Rents  &  Arrears  till  March 
29th  1704  that  Shall  Satiffie  &  you  may  deliver  him  ye  Box 
of  writings  y1  he  may  Get  Cpl  Holborton  &  other  Affi- 
davitts  taken  as  is  needful  —  now  by  ye  Ace*  you  See  of 
July  30  1702  there  Remained  to  Ballance  Due  to  him  13Ib 
5  —  2  Only  you  muf t  note  y1  for  ye  year  begginning  Sep' 
29th  1701  &  End  Sep1  29  1702  he  had  Received  nothing  of 
my  Tenants  So  that  that  years  Rent  was  More  than 
Enough  to  Anfwer  the  13lb  5 — 2  befides  Some  old  Arrears 
perhapps  by  this  in  part  Received —  So  that  from  Sep1  29 
1702  till  March  1704  makes  compleat  one  year  &  halfs 
Rent  Due  to  me  befides  ye  Over  ballance  (y*  over  it  may 


20  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

be)  of  ye  13  lbs  by  foregoing  years  Rent  &  old  arrears 
which  year  &  halfs  Rent  will  amount  to  above  twenty 
poundes.  all  charges  of  Reparations  &  Taxes  Clear  Con- 
fiderable  having  been  allowed  but  a  few  years  fince  to 
put  ye  belt  part  viz  Smiths  which  is  Let  at  12  lb  pr  An 
in  Repair  So  as  that  Mr  Swain  wrot  me  word  that 
would  need  no  more  Repair  of  Divers  years  &  befides 
Smiths  ye  Tenants  Norleigh  Day  &  Afhly  are  Set  at  about 
7  lbs  pr  Anu  taken  all  together  and  what  Ever  monys  are 
Delivered  you  for  mee  pleafe  to  Expend  &  Inveft  as  I 
Shall  Direct  by  Infractions  I  Shall  Send  you  by  this  fleet 
if  pofsible.  but  if  thro  Shortnefs  of  time  I  Should  mifs 
this  Opportunity  pray  keep  it  till  I  can  Send  to  you.  If 
Mr  Swain  Shall  Refufe  to  Comply  about  ye  Rents  Let  not 
Cap1  Holborton  nor  any  Go  to  Give  yr  Affidavits  about 
them  nor  Let  Mr  Swain  have  them  Up  for  I  never  in- 
tended any  bargain  with  him  but  with  yl  provifo  about  ye 
Rent  it  being  very  Unreafonable  I  Should  let  him  have 
So  good  a  bargain  &  he  have  ye  Rent  before  Such  time  as 
I  have  ye  100lbs  Delivered  to  my  order,  notwithftanding 
that  ye  writings  of  Sale  bare  Date  much  Antecedent — 
No  I  wil  Sooner  pay  Mr  Swain  all  the  Charg  that  he  was 
at  about  procuring  the  writings  &  comifsion  there  & 
Loofe  my  own  here  than  Do  So.  Sir  what  Ever  Charg 
you  are  at  you  muft  charg  with  yr  comifsion  mony  if  you 
Receive  &  Inveft  for  mee  but  If  Mr  Swain  do  not  Comply 
I  will  find  a  way  to  Satiffie  you  to  content.  Excufe  ye 
prolixity  &  bad  writing  which  ye  Sharp  weather  my 
hurry  by  Reafon  of  Streights  of  time  &  other  Inconveni- 
ences Occafions  So  being  in  haft  to  Get  my  box  of  writ- 
ings &  this  on  board  of  Cpl  Horn  Juft  Going  of  muft 
leave  ye  Reft  I  have  to  Send  to  you  till  Some  more  leifure 
&  will  conclude  with  Service  to  yr  Self  &  Good  Lady  from 
yr  Serv1  Robert  Hale 

You  will  Remember  I  am  ye  man  y*  Rode  wth  yrf elf  from 
Bofton  to  N  Briftol  upon  Mr  Lees  leaving  that  place  If 
you  have  Occaf ion  to  write  to  me  Direct  Letters  to  Robert 
Hale  in  Beverly 

near  Salem  in 
Ne  England 
Memorandum 

Upon    farther   Confideration   I   have    Sent   back   Mr 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  21 

Swains  &  tel  him  I  dont  accept  it  becaufe  nothing  of  Rent 
is  Sayd  in  it  —  but  Offer  him  a  Note  of  ye  following  Tone 
I  promife  to  pay  to  Mr  Thomas  Blattfo  for  Accompt 
&  behoof  of  Dr  Robert  Hale  upon  Demand  ye  Sum  of  100 
pd  Sterling  &  all  ye  Rents  &  profitts  belonging  to  H  & 
R.  B  in  N.  Sarum  wch  have  arifen  &  accrued  Since  ye 
29th  of  Sep1  1702.  if  he  Sign  this  Note  &  Offer  &  oblige 
himfelf  according  to  ye  tone  hereof 

13 

These  English  letters  seem  to  be  copies  retained  by  Dr. 
Hale.  Written  on  the  margin  of  this  one  are  these 
words:  "For  ye  Subftance  a  Coppy."  Just  before  the 
postscript  Dr.  Hale  wrote  "word  for  word  in  poftscript 
to  Mr.  Swain." 

Dr.  Robert  Hale  to  Bennett  Swayne,  Sr.,  London, 
England.1 

Kind  Sr  Beverly  March  ye  5.  1703-4 

The  fleet  meeting  with  a  Stop  &  not  being  yet  Gone 
have  ye  Opportunity  farther  hereby  to  Acquaint  you  that 
I  have  finifhed  ye  matter  of  the  writings  &  put  ym  on 
board  ye  Centurion  one  of  her  Majesties  Ships  for  which 
probable  Safe  Conveyance  I  waited  a  confiderable  while 
one  &  ye  cheif  Reafon  I  Sent  no  Sooner  I  have  wrot  two 
Letters  to  you  of  January  ye  13th  Laft  when  ye  fleet  Ex- 
pected every  hour  to  Sayle  by  which  I  have  Defired  you 
to  pay  ye  100  lb  to  Mr  Blattfoe  a  mercht  in  London  was 
then  in  an  hurry  of  bufinefs  &  omitted  ye  formality  of 
Bills  of  xchang  but  have  now  Enclosed  two  to  him  of 
which  if  neither  Should  arrive  yet  Let  my  Order  In  ye 
Letter  be  taken  by  you  as  Sufficient.  I  had  not  Drawn 
bills  but  that  I  perceive  ye  Gentleman  you  Employ  is 
Unacquainted  with  w*  is  proper  for  this  Country  as  ap- 
pears by  ye  Unfuitable  Sort  of  Canvas  Sent  mee  inftead 
of  Good  Hollands  Duck  I  wrott  for  to  my  very  Great  Dam- 
age &  Difapointment.  I  Should  have  been  Glad  to  have 
Saved  yor  Comifsion  which  I  Expected  provided  you 
had    ordered   ye    Invefting   ye    monies    for    mee.     One 

1  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


22  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

thing  I  have  written  more  which  is  to  defire  you  to  pay 
wl  Ever  is  in  yr  handes  of  Old  Arrears  —  &  alio  all  you 
have  Received  of  Rent  Since  the  Laft  Ace1  Sent  me  Re- 
ferving  to  yr  Self  thereout  thirteen  poundes  five  &  two 
pence  due  to  Ballances  &  altho  you  may  not  have  Received 
all  ye  Rent  to  ye  Day  of  ye  payment  of  Mr  Blattfo  yl  is 
due  yet  you  will  when  you  have  ye  writeings  Delivered 
you  have  ye  Eftate  wholly  in  yr  handes  &  can  Eafily  com- 
pute what  it  comes  too  &  Draw  ye  mony  again  of  ye  Ten- 
ants at  a  Convenient  time.  I  defire  not  to  have  farther 
bufinefs  about  it  but  to  finifh  all  at  once,  you  have  So 
good  a  bargain  as  you  may  w*  out  Damage  do  this.  I 
have  been  proffered  Confiderable  more  than  you  Give 
but  if  you  Do  thus  as  I  defire  you  Mr  Blattfoe  is  Ordered 
to  finifh  with  you  &  to  deliver  ye  writeings  &  I  wifh  you 
profperity  in  ye  bargain,  you  know  I  alway  provided 
3  thinges  in  bargainyng  ye  fir  ft  of  which  of  Invefting  ye 
mony  (wch  was  a  motive  to  me  ye_Rather  to  bargain) 
comifsion  free  failes  me  wch  is  a  Damage  to  me,  ye  other 
two  viz  ye  being  at  all  cost  of  winterings  &  Sending  with 
ye  principle  all  Rents  Due  till  ye  Day  of  Demand  I  hope 
you  will  not  fail  me  in  I  had  rather  then  you  Should  So 
do  Let  all  fall  about  ye  bargain  &  pay  for  ye  writings 
myfelf  but  I  need  not  ad  but  wifhing  yrfelf  &  yrs  all  prof- 
perity For  time  &  happinefs  to  Eternity  I  remain  yr 
humble  Serv*  at  Comand  Robert  Hayle 

If  you  are  not  free  to  anfwer  my  bill  in  all  ye  partic- 
ulars of  it  I  fhall  be  willing  now  yl  ye  Dangers  of  ye  Seas 
r  So  great  to  loofe  all  my  laft  about  ye  writeings  here  & 
to  pay  you  ye  charg  for  them  &  So  _let  ye  bargain  b  Re- 
leafed  &  So  I  hope  yl  will  be  no  Damage  Done  I  pray  I 
may  hear  from  you  as  Soon  may  be  I  hope  you  will  not 
be  troubled  that  I  Employ  another  about  laying  out  my 
monies,  ye  Difference  of  yt  being  layd  out  by  one  yfc 
Does  not  Underftand  N  Eng  Cargo  &  yt  Underftands  it 
well  as  Mr  Blatfoe  does  having  been  divers  years  a  Shop- 
keeper in  ye  Country  Is  I  See  very  great,  no  difrefpect 
or  miftruft  of  yrfelf  but  a  necessity  compells  me  thus  to 
do  — 

14 

Nicholas  Gilman  was  only  fifteen  when  he  wrote  this 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  23 

gossiping  letter  to  his  parents.  We  could  wish  he  had 
been  more  explicit  as  to  "the  price  with  a  witness!" 
that  he  paid  for  his  room  and  board  and  that,  just 
when  he  descends  to  gossip,  the  letter  had  not  been  torn. 
He  graduated  from  Harvard  at  seventeen,  taught  school 
at  Stratham,  entered  the  ministry  later  and  preached  his 
first  sermon  at  Kingston,  N.  H.,  in  1727. 

Nicholas  Gilman  to  Judge  and  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman, 
Newbury,  Mass. 

Cambridge  Janry  23-  AD  1723-4 
Ever  Honoured  Parents  — 

Pardon  my  neglect  in  not  writing  to  you  oftner.  I  im- 
prove Every  Opportunity,  and  make,  and  make  use  of 
this  to  write  to  you,  Presuming  my  Letter  will  not  be  un- 
acceptable to  you,  since  I  cannot  but  be  sensible  of  the 
Desire  you  have  of  hearing  from  me,  not  only  from  your 
commanding  me  to  write,  but  also  from  my  own  observa- 
tion of  the  care  &  Tendernefs  you  Exprefs  towards  me, 
and  the  Desire  you  have  for  my  Good,  I  desire  to  Ex- 
prefs my  most  hearty  Gratitude  to  you,  which  is  all  I 
can  do  in  requital,  only  by  &  thro'  the  blefsing  of  God 
on  my  studies,  and  the  continuation  of  my  life  &  health, 
I  hope  to  make  so  good  proficiency  in  Learning  both  hu- 
mane &  Divine,  as  to  be  in  some  measure  Qualified  to 
answer  your  Expectations  concerning  me.  I  suspect  & 
not  without  Grounds  the  End  you  proposd  in  bestowing 
a  Liberall  Education  upon  me,  &  am  sensible  how  preju- 
dicial the  Lofs  of  Time  will  be  to  me,  now  I  have  such  an 
Opportunity  to  advance  in  Learning  and  Knowledge, 
which  If  I  improve  not  the  Lofs  will  be  my  own,  &  I 
should  ungratefully  Difsapoint  you  Expectations  and 
hopes  for  my  Good,  which  I  desire  I  may  never  Do.  I 
have  not  altered  my  habitation  but  reside  at  my  Old 
Place  yet,  not  so  much  out  of  Love  to  the  Diet,  as  the 
profit  I  am  sensible  I  get  by  hearing  the  Disputes  and 
Enjoying  the  Conversation  of  thofe  who  Live  here,  and 
Others  who  constantly  Dine  here,  (which  by  the  way  give 
as  much  as  we  that  Live  here)  I  am  apt  to  think  nay 
pretty  certain  I  cannot  change  my  habitation  for  the  bet- 


24  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

ter  on  the  account  of  Leaving  being  out  of  the  way  of 
Noise  and  too  much  company,  which  are  very  Prejudicial 
to  study,  &  in  the  way  of  hearing  the  Discourfes  and  Dis- 
putes of  my  Seniors,  which  may  be  and  I  apprehend  are 
very  instructive.  And  altho  we  give  a  price  With  a  wit- 
nef s !  at  the  bare  naming  of  which  any  reasonable  person 
woud  cry  out  upon  their  Extortion,  Yet  considering  all 
things,  that  'tis  but  a  Little  while  that  I  have  to  tarry 
here  (for  I  hope  If  alive  and  well  some  way  or  other  to 
be  with  you  in  March)  I  say  considering  this  and  that 
the  others  give  as  much  as  I  Do,  I  make  not  much  noife, 
as  not  thinking  it  very  convenient  so  to  Do.  I  have  not 
much  News  to  Tell  you,  but  thro'  God's  mercy  I  am  in 
pretty  good  health  while  Others  are  Languishing  on  beds 
of  sicknefs,  and  some  swept  away  by  the  stroke  of  Death 
which  walks  its  round  with  a  resistlef s  Sway ;  Two  Schol- 
ars have  Died  Since  I  came  Down  this  Last  Time  Spear 
&  Treat  the  Last  of  which  was  a  Sophomore  who  Died 
Yesterday  was  a  seven  night  the  15th  instant,  it  is  not 
youth  and  vigour  will  free  us  from  The  Stroke  of  Death, 
and  while  I  now  write  thefe  Lines  my  Ears  are  Enter- 
tained with  the  mournfull  Sound  of  the  bell  Tolling  for 
the  Funeral  of  an  Inhabitant  of  this  Town.  —  The  Com- 
mon Talk  here  is  the  choofing  calling  &  ordination  of 
Ministers ;  Mr  Gee  was  ordaind  the  18  of  Last  month  at 
the  Old  north  church  in  Bof ton ;  Mr  Abot  will  be  Ordaind 
at  Charlestown  Next  Wednesday  come  [torn] 

I  have  been  bargaining  with  one  whom  I  spoke  of 
to  you  for  [torn]  &  am  to  give  him  three  pound  twelve 
Shill8  for  them  [torn]  I  had  Like  to  forget  &  shoud  have 
done  unlefs  I  had  heard  [torn]ame  (Spoken  below  but 
now,  is  that  he  is  married  to  a  Young  [torn]  town  tho  he 
Got  her  not  without  some  Difficulty,  for  after  he  was 
[torn]  A  young  man  belonging  to  this  Town  who  had 
courted  her  &  whom  [torn]ty,  she  was  promisd  to,  under- 
writt  him;  then  they  went  to  Law  [torn]  Tried  before 
Two  Justices  —  Pierce  (for  so  was  ye  young  man  [torn] 
she  had  promisd  him  The  cafe  was  Given  in  on  Mon- 
nis's  Side  [torn]  her  — he  Drives  a  Mighty  Stroke  at 
trading  for  he  Keeps  Shop  in  [torn]  very  well  Likd  by 


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Love  letter  written  by  Rev.  Nicholas  Gtlman 
Photographed   from  the  manuscript  owned   by   William  ('.  Gilmaii,  of  Norwich,  Conn. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  25 

the  People.  —  So  Remembring  my  Love  [torn]ters,  My 
Service  to  Sir  Clark  &  all  who  Afk  after  me  I  take  my 
[torn]  for  the  Length  of  My  Letter  this  being  all  at 
Present  from      Your  Dutif ull  son  — 

Nicholas  Gilman 

15 
Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Mary  Thing,  Boston,  Mass.1 

N°2 
Exeter,  June  12th  1729. 
Dear  Molly  I  have  Spent  this  evening  pleasantly  at 
your  Honoured  Father's  (I  wish  I  coud  call  him  mine, 
too)  but  tho  I  speak  of  Pleasure  dear  creature,  you  may 
well  think  I  take  but  little,  in  your  Absence  coMpared 
with  what  I  might  enjoy  in  your  sweet  company  however 
I  aM  willing  to  make  myself  as  easy,  and  my  life  as 
pleasant  as  ever  I  can:  For  I  have  heard  a  Rumour  as 
tho '  you  did  not  design  to  Return  home  till  some  time 
next  fall,  the  difappointments  which  I  meet  with  and 
cannot  well  avoid  are  so  many  that  I  have  no  reason  to 
create  myself  any  Uneasinefs  where  I  can  make  myself 
easy,  but  I  must  needs  confefs  tis  No  pleasure  to  me  that 
you  have  prolonged  the  time  of  your  Stay — doubtlefs 
you  re  well  employd  but  So  you  might  be  at  home  Dearest 
Loveliest  Fairest  of  women  that  Sweet  Ingenuity  of  Tem- 
per that  I  have  observed  in  you  gave  [torn]  hope  that 
you  might  receive  the  discovery  of  my  affections  with 
pity  and  tendernefs,  but  dont  blame  me  if  I  must  Needs 
say  I  can't  well  discern  it  by  the  prefent  posture  of  af- 
fairs ;  Pof sibly  you  may  think  it  somewhat  strange  that 
in  all  this  time  of  your  abfence  I  have  never  been  to  see 
you  or  at  least  that  I  shoud  be  so  negligent  in  writing  as 
to  the  Former  my  Dear,  I  conceive  it  needs  no  great  mat- 
ter of  Excuse  you  may  assure  yourself  iT  is  not  for  want 
of  love.  I  suppofe  there  has  not  a  day  pafsd  in  your 
absence  but  I  have  thought  of  you  how  often  has  your 
Lovely  picture  Rolld  over  in  my  mind,  how  oft  have  I 

1  MS.  loaned  by  William  C.  Gilman,  Norwich,  Conn.     Written  backward. 


26  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

desird  your  Sweet  conversation  your  company  of  all  wo- 
men ! ! ! 

sweet  Molly  is  most  desirable  to  me,  but  Suppofe  I 
shoud  come  to  Boston,  hoW  much  of  it  coud  I  enjoy  there 
juf  t  enough  to  Set  me  a  longing  perhaps,  For  I  can  hardly 
think  you  woud  wholly  refufe  to  See  me,  what  woud  be 
an  hour  or  an  Evening  to  one  that  hopes  to  call  you  his 
own  as  to  my  not  writing  oftener  I  am  ready  to  blame 
my  self  and  were  I  afsured  you  would  give  your  self  the 
trouble  of  reading  my  letters  thro  and  not  laugh  at  me 
I  shoud  think  myself  faulty  that  I  write  No  oftener. 
Dear  Molly  if  Boston  hasn't  taken  away  that  sweet  tem- 
per of  yours  I  doubt  not  but  you  will  excufe  My  Negli- 
gence.   Lovely  Fair  one  Things  dont  work  according  to 
my  mind    I  was  in  hopes  of  Enjoying  your  Sweet  com- 
pany here  in  a  Short  Season,  but  Since  I  cant  bring  my 
circumstances  to  my  defires  I  must  confine  my  defires 
within  what  I  can  attain.     There  are  young  women  in 
town  pretty  enough  when  I  dont  think  of  you,  but  Molly 
that's  the  sweetest  name,  the  prettyest  Thing  fairest  of 
Creatures,  the  Object  of  Mine  affections;  and  coud  you 
love  as  I  do  If  we  livd  I  shoud  not  think  it  woud  be  long 
to  our  wedding  day  but  when  we  shall  be  united  in  Mar- 
riage how  long  it  is  to  be  or  whether  ever  it  will  be  is 
known  to  him  who  by  his  providence  overrules  all  events, 
it  is  of  the  chief  Importance,  &  shoud  be  the  greatest  con- 
cern of  our  Souls  to  be  at  peace  with  him,  Sweet  Molly  I 
hope  you  will  mind  the  Best  things  and  live  now  as  you 
woud  wifh  to  have  lived  when  on  a  dying  pillow  for  tho 
you  are  the  Woman  whom  I  admire  above  all  others  yet 
I  am  sensible  and  woud  have  you  realize  it  that  you  are 
Mortal  as  well  as  I.     I  cannot  I  know  you  dont  defire 
I  shoud  flatter  you  with  the  name  of  Angel.     Tho  I  hope 
to  enjoy  you  for  a  season  yet  we  are  not  to  look  upon  this 
as  our  Abiding  place  but  improve  our  days  on  earth  in 
making  Ready  for  that  happy  State,  where  there  is  no 
marrying  nor  giving  in  marriage.     Tho  I  complain  of  the 
length  of  time  in  your  absence  yet  I  am  Sensible  how 
Swiftly  our  years  Role  away  I  am  apt  to  think  they  might 
pafs  with  greater  content  on  my  Side  were  I  well  settled 
with  your  Sweet  Self  My  lovely  fair  &  I  entreat  you  not 
to  defer  the  time  too  long  where  is  the  Benefit  of  delay- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  27 

ing  Molly  I  dont  See  as  it  helps  you  or  me  whereas  by 
yielding  &  consenting  you  might  not  difoblige  your  Self, 
and  Might  greatly  Oblige  your  True  &  constant  lover  N  :G 

16 

Dr.  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Clarke)  Hale  had  three 
children;  Rebecca,  named  for  his  grandmother  and 
mother,  who  married  in  1719  Rev.  John  Chipman,  the 
pastor  of  the  church  in  North  Beverly;  Robert,  whose 
marriage  with  his  step-sister,  Elizabeth  Gilman,  we 
have  noticed  earlier ;  and  Henry,  who,  ten  years  younger 
than  his  brother,  was  his  ward.  Henry  married  in  1735, 
Anna  Ober  of  Beverly,  and  died  before  1740.  His  five 
letters  were  written  during  his  last  years  at  Harvard, 
where  he  graduated  in  1731.  As  they  are  docketed  by 
Col.  Robert,  we  are  able  to  arrange  them  in  exact 
sequence. 

Henry  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass.1 

Cambridge  January  4th  1730  [1730-1] 
Dear  Bror 

You  very  often  have  remark 'd  that  Nothing  But  want 
can  Extort  a  Letter  from  me  Your  Observation  is 
Grounded  on  Experience  And  so  far  Juft.  But  the  true 
Reason  to  Me  Seems  to  be  the  want  of  any  thing  to  Com- 
municate w°  will  be  Grateful  to  you  I  have  No  Oppor- 
tunities to  gain  any  knowledge  in  the  Secrets  Of  Trade 
or  businef  s  or  the  Practice  of  Physick  And  as  to  the  Math- 
ematicks  &  Philosophy  &  ye  Like  You  Have  Other  things 
to  think  off  However  there  is  one  thing  an  advertise"11 
Of  wc  will  Not  Afford  Very  Unpleasant  Reflections  Yr 
Clafsmate  Mr  Greenwood  Has  In  A  Late  Lecture  Hit  up- 
on a  New  Notion  Relating  to  the  Excentricity  of  the  Or- 
bits of  Planets  He  supposes  that  Att  firft  they  describ'd 
Perfect  Circles  but  by  an  Unequal  Ballance  of  their  At- 
tractive &  Projective  Forces  they  were  by  Degrees  Drawn 
Into  Ellipses,  wc  Still  Grow  more  Excentrick  Till  att 
Laft  They  will  All  become  Comets  &  further  that  by  the 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


28  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Affiftance  of  Accurate  Observats  the  Ratio  of  this  In- 
crease of  Excentricity  may  be  Determin'd  &  Consequtly 
the  Time  when  by  a  Near  Transit  by  the  Sun  they  will 
Catch  on  fire  &  Put  a  Period  to  the  Lives  Of  their  Inhab- 
itants (Verte)  Of  this  Says  He  Ovid  Might  Have  Some 
Notion  from  Some  Now  Loft  Tradition  of  ye  Ancient  Phil- 
osophers Which  Occasion 'd  his 

Efse  quoq;  In  fatis  Reminiscitur  Afore  Tempus 
Quo  mare,  Quo  Tellus  Sc. 
J  Sr  I  wifh  You  All  felicity  &  Remain 
Yr  Loving  Bror  &  Obedient 
but  unworthy  Ward  H  Hale 

17 
Henry  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass.1 

Cambridge  Feb.  16.  1730  [1730-1] 
Dear  Sir//  Let  this  Inform  you  that  I  Got  Safe  to 
Camb:  about  8  that  Night  with  lefs  Difficulty  Than  I 
Expected  the  Next  morning  came  On  att  11  the  Sermon 
to  the  Negro  by  Mr  Appleton  from  those  words  —  What 
fruit  Had  ye  In  those  things  Of  wc  ye  are  Now  afhamed 
As  Soon  as  Mr  Appleton  addrefs'd  him  He  Lamented  bit- 
terly But  perhaps  rather  because  of  his  Punifhment  than 
any  thing  Else  for  he  was  Extremely  Ignorant.  After 
condemnation  Mr  Adams  went  to  him  in  Prison  &  Asking 
Him  if  He  Shoud  Pray  &  for  what  He  Answer 'd  that 
Mafter  no  angry  cause  I  burn  his  house  —  Att  Another 
Time  —  Pray  for  X1  was  his  Answer,  there  was  a  vaft 
Confluence  of  People  att  the  Execution  wc  hapned  about  4 
in  the  Afternoon  Mr  Emerson  Pray'd  wth  him  Earneftly 
Under  the  Gallows  &  then  being  demanded  wl  He  had  to 
Say  He  answer 'd  Wantee  Countrymen  no  do  so  &  so  He 
was  turn  'd  off  but  being  half  dead  before  Hung  but  about 
10  min.  His  body  was  Carried  to  the  Colledge  barn  & 
remain 'd  till  the  Next  when  it  was  difsected  by  Dr  Boyl- 
fton  Att  the  Requeft  of  Mr  Danforth  Prince  &  Others 
They  Only  Open'd  the  2  Lower  Ventes  &  Shew'd  a  few  of 
the  Largeft  Membranes  Muscles  nerves  tendons  &  Veins 

1  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS      29 

&c  for  Arteries  I  think  the  Doctor  coud  find  None  '  •  Cer- 
tainly"—  The  Dif sector  did  not  Enter  Upon  the  Niceties 
of  Anatomy  for  the  Operation  was  finif h  'd  in  One  Day  — 
None  of  the  Controverted  were  Examined  Nay  the  Struc- 
ture Of  the  bones  was  not  laid  Open  but  the  Negro  Com- 
mitted to  the  grave  with  An  Haf te  wc  Many  Regretted  — 
I  am  Sir  Yr  Unworthy 

Bro:&Ward  H  Hale 

18 
Henry  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass.1 

Camb :  March  10.  1830-1 
Dear  Bror 

I  Waited  att  Bo f ton  almoft  3  Days  But  the  foul 
Weather  I  Suppose  Prevented  you  Pardon  My  Impor- 
tunity Since  the  Valedictory  is  to  Be  Next  Week  &  the 
Gift  Given  Up  Please  Sir  to  Send  About  3£  10  Mr 
Johnson  is  in  Hafte  &  I  can  but  Juft  teftifie  that  I  am  yr 
Loving  Brother  &  Unworthy  Ward  H.  Hale 

19 

Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  married  Mary  Thing,  only  child 
of  Bartholomew  and  Sarah  (Little,  Kent)  Thing,  of 
Exeter,  N.  H.,  on  October  22,  1730. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly, 

Mass  2 

Exeter  March  20.  1730-31. 
Dear  Sir 

1  am  just  inform  'd  of  an  Opportunity  to  Send  a  line  to 
Beverly,  but  whether  to  You  I  cannot  Say  Not  having 
heard  for  a  long  time  whether  you  are  in  New  England 
or  indeed  in  the  Land  of  the  Living  or  No.  I  have  writ- 
ten to  You  before  Now,  Since  I  have  heard  from  You. 
What  it  was  that  I  wrote  or  have  done  or  what  that  I 
have  Omitted  to  write  or  do  that  has  occasiond  Your  long 
Silence.    I  Shoud  be  glad  to  know.    Dear  Sir  that  you 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 

2  Idem. 


30  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

are  a  Man  of  Reason  I  may  Say  without  Flattery  —  and 
Since  So,  I  woud  willingly  —  know  Why  yon  woud  put  a 
period  to  our  wonted  familiar  Converse.  So  long  as  we 
are  fellow  Sojourners  on  this  Terrestrial  Globe  and  may 
we  not  hope  fellow  Travellers  to  a  Celestial  State  —  If  I 
have  provd  treacherous,  tell  me  of  it  and  You  will  Soon 
Learn  whether  ever  to  trust  me  again  —  If  I  dont  write  So 
well  as  I  usd  to  do  when  you  were  free  for  a  Correspon- 
dence by  Letters,  You  must  blame  your  own  Silence  for 
how  Can  it  be  Supposd  I  Shoud  write  So  well  Now  as 
when  I  oftner  read  Your  lines?  but  whether  I  write 
well  or  ill  I  must  at  this  time  write  but  few  Words  More. 
The  Week  &  Day  both  hasten  to  a  Close  and  Titans  fiery 
Steeds  are  just  ready  to  plunge  in  the  Western  Ocean  — 
The  Twilight  hastning  gives  us  warning  to  begin  The 
Sacred  Weekly  Rest  of  Christians  an  earnest  of  the 
future  Rest  that  remains  for  the  people  of  God,  Among 
which  happy  joyfull  Number  that  You  &  I  with  our  Wives 
&c,  May  be  found  is  I  hope  the  sincere  Desire  of 

Your  Loving  Kinsman      NG 
My  wife  gives  her  Service  to  You  and  Your  Dear 
Consort. 

20 
Henry  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass.1 

Camb.  March  23.  1730-1 

Dear  Bro : 

Yr  not  coming  or  sending  oblig'd  me  In  Order  to  Pay 
my  Subscription  &  pronounce  ye  Valedictory  to  borrow 
about  3£  10 :  Whereof  40  V  for  a  Gift  12/  for  a  pr  of  Shoes 
5/  for  the  New  Dref sing  of  my  Hat  5/  for  a  pr  of  Gloves 
more  in  Expence  &c  wc  Sd  Sum  If  you  cou'd  Oblige  me 
with  I  Hope  I  Shouldn't  Shew  my  self  Ungrateful  I  am 
Very  Sorry  Sr  that  I  Shou'd  now  give  occasion  for  the 
Old  Complaint  Namely  that  I  make  ye  Importunity  of  ye 
Dun  Thruft  out  the  Tendernefs  &  Duty  of  A  Bro :  &  Ward 

Henry  Hale 

Pr  Herrick 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  31 

21 
Henry  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass.1 

April  2d  1731. 
Dear  Bror  I  thankfully  Recd  Yr  Letter  &  Supply  Pr 
Herrick  &  Likewise  the  grateful  News  of  yr  Health  & 
prosperity  I  am  sorry  I  Have  Never  yet  Done  Any  thing 
to  Deserve  yl  Kindnefs  as  A  friend  wc  the  bonds  Of  blood 
&  Nature  conftrain  you  to  Show  me  that  I  might  in  a 
Strict  Sense  Call  you  a  Bror  &  friend  too  However  I 
Hope  that  In  Time  an  Endeavour  to  Imitate  yr  &  My  God- 
like father  will  beget  in  me  as  Great  a  likenefs  to  you  as 
to  Temper  of  Mind  as  I  Have  already  by  the  frame  Con- 
ftitution  and  Shape  of  my  body  &  then  I  can't  fail  of  yr 
Love  I  Can  Sir  Write  You  but  Very  Little  News  tho  Very 
Acceptable  there  is  One  of  the  Political  States  or  Jour- 
nals Lately  Arriv'd  Extracts  from  wc  Have  Contrary  to 
his  Excellys  Order  printed  &  Dispers  'd  they  Inveigh  Vehe- 
mently Againft  the  Govrs  Arbitrary  proceedings  &  Com- 
mend ye  Noble  Stand  wc  we  Have  made  for  yl  Liberty  & 
Property  wc  Others  Have  Unhappily  Given  up  He  very 
Plainly  pretends  to  prognofticate  the  Gradual  Ap- 
proaches of  Slavery  we  Like  a  Palsie  seizes  the  Extreme 
Parts  firft  afterwards  tottering  &  att  length  Ruining  the 
whole  fabrick  that  God  may  Avert  this  is  the  Wifh 
Of  Sr  Yr  Loving  Bror  & 

Ward  H.  Hale 

22 

Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly, 
Mass.2 

Dear  Friend 

1  Presume  by  this  time  you  are  So  well  acquainted  with 
my  writing  that  it  is  in  Vain  to  make  any  Apology  for 
Defects  and  Pretend  I  write  in  hast,  which  tho  It  be  mat- 
ter of  fact  may  not  be  the  only  reason  why  I  dont  write 
Well.    If  If  writing  Letters  were  as  great  an  Exercife  of 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 

2  Idem. 


32  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

the  Body  as  it  is  of  the  Mind  I  Shoud  much  more  gladly 
Embrace  every  Opportunity  of  writing  to  you  but  Since 
it  is  not  So  I  am  Obligd  to  be  more  remifs  in  thought  — 
and  it  is  not  very  agreeable  to  Send  abroad  Crude  No- 
tions Pictures  of  Chaos  which  Ovid  Describes  to  be  — - 
Rudis  indigestaq,  Moles  Nee  quiequam  Nifs1  pondus  Indis 
&c  —  but  what  Need  I  describe  it  when  the  present  writ- 
ing is  So  near  a  Resemblance  as  for  matters  of  Specula- 
tion I  have  Not  at  present  Leisure  to  Mention  any  Thing. 
Your  Friends  in  Town  are  Generally  in  Health  Except 
Your  Hond  Father,  Coll11  Gilman  who  This  Day  Labours 
Under   Considerable   Indisposition  —  As  for  Me   I   am 
pretty  Much  as  I  usd  to  be  If  you  know  how  that  is  —  I 
hope  however  I  am  Somthing  Stronger  —  I  am  glad  to 
hear  you  have  escaped  from  Imminent  danger  of  the 
Smallpox  —  It  Seems  that  Sicknefs  if  Not  Death  had  you 
Close  at  the  Heels  Breathd  on  your  Shoulders  but  was 
not  Sufferd  to  Lay  Violent  Hands  on  You  &  Now  you 
have  gaind  ground  on  him.     So  that  you  have  left  him 
out  of  Sight — but  however  out  of  Sight  Not  out   of 
Mind — Deaths  pace  is  Swift  its  Stroke  tho'  Silent,  Sure 
and  None  Escape  but  Sooner  or  later  they  fall  its  prey  — 
Happy  they  that  Can  on  good  grounds  Say  to  him  Wel- 
come Friend.    But  I  muft  Close  —  with  telling  that  yr 
Hond  Mother  Defires  You  would  Get  Henry  Such  Cloaths 
for  Commencement  as  that  You  Judge  Suitable  for  him. 
And  if  he  has  the  Offer  that  You  Woud  Advife  him  from 
Her  to  keep  School  att  Newberry  New  Town  —  She  Re- 
members her  love  to  You  all.     Take  this  at  present  in 
Hast — From  Him  who  hopes  for  a  Better  Opertunity  to 
Expref s  how  Much 

I  am  Yr  Sincere  Friend  N.  G. 

Exeter  June  3d 
1731 

23 
Rev.  James  Hale,  the  writer  of  the  following  letter, 
was  a  son  of  Rev.  John  Hale  and  his  second  wife,  Sarah 
Noyes,  daughter   of   Rev.   James  and   Sakah    (Brown) 
Noyes,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Newbury,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  33 

Rev.  James  Hale  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass.1 

Afhford  October  ye  11th  1731 

1  give  my  hearty  Love  to  your  Self  by  thefe  hoping 
they  will  find  you  in  Good  Health  as  I  am  at  this  Time 
thro'  the  Mercy  of  God.  It  is  indeed  now  Some  time 
Since  I  returned  from  your  parts  and  have  not  written 
to  you  but  befides  that  I  prefently  found  my  bufinefs 
Doubled  here  by  my  Abfence  from  home  Some  Weeks  it 
was  not  very  long  before  I  hurt  my  right  Hand  So  that  I 
could  not  for  fome  time  write  or  do  any  other  matter 
with  it  So  well  as  before.  It  Seems  almoft  too  late  to  give 
you  a  Journal  of  my  Safe  Return  that  Week  I  left  Bev- 
erley and  finding  my  Family  Well  and  perhaps  it  may 
not  be  much  worth  the  while  to  mention  that  Since  yl  the 
Minifters  of  this  County  were  moft  of  them  at  my  Houfe 
at  the  Afsociation  Meeting  begun  on  the  laft  of  Auguft 
as  this  Week  we  are  to  meet  at  Mr  Williams's  of  Manf- 
field.  Our  Crops  have  been  the  Englifh  Grain  with  con- 
fiderable  plenty  the  Indian  Corn  tho'  Better  than  our 
fears  upon  a  Supply  of  Rains  after  a  Time  of  Drought 
Yet  as  so  Some  greatly  Shortned.  Our  Hay  and  Latter 
Feed  in  a  Comfortable  manner.  We  enjoy  a  General 
Health  at  prefent  in  this  place  and  better  than  was  Some 
while  ago  in  this  place  and  in  Windham  Village  a  Neigh- 
bouring place  where  I  hope  it  is  better  now  too.  My  min- 
ifterial  Work  has  been  very  Great  Since  my  Return  re- 
quiring much  care  and  application.  My  remembrance  of 
the  great  Refpect  &  kindnefs  of  my  Beverley  Relations 
and  Friends  to  me  &  So  of  others  to  me  in  my  Journey 
has  a  firm  abiding  in  my  mind.  And  pleafe  to  Remember 
me  kindly  as  to  ye  Revnd  Mr  Chippman  &  Mrs  Chippman 2 
&  to  Mr  Henry  Hale  and  to  Mrs  Hale  your  Confort  my 
dear  Relations  So  to  Madam  Blowers  And  to  the  Rev- 
erend Mr  Champney  whom  I  efteem  as  dear  Friends  and 
many  others  among  you  in  Beverley  I  efteem  my  Good 
Friends  whom  I  could  willingly  be  remembered  to  by  you 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 

2  Mrs.  John  Chipman  was  Eebecca  Hale,  only  sister  of  Col.  Eobert  Hale. 
Her  husband  was  the  pastor  of  the  church  at  North  Beverly. 


34  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

as  in  Particular  Deacon  Dodge  and  Captn  Thorndike.  I 
hope  you  will  write  to  me  at  yr  firft  Opportunity.  Defir- 
ing  an  Intereft  in  your  Prayers  I  Remain  Your  Affec- 
tionate Uncle  James  Hale 

24 

Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  and  Mary  Thing  were  married 
October  22,  1730.  He  did  not  take  a  parish  for  some 
years  on  account  of  poor  health.  Col.  Robert  Hale's 
first  wife,  Elizabeth  Oilman,  who  was  Rev.  Nicholas 
Gilman's  first  cousin,  died  in  1736  and  he  married  (2) 
December  21,  1737,  Elizabeth  Clarke,  daughter  of  Hon. 
John  Clarke,  of  Boston,  whom  this  letter  mentions.  It 
was  copied  some  time  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  century 
by  Elizabeth  T.  Davey  and  given  to  Mr.  Arthur  Gilman, 
of  Cambridge,  by  C.  S.  D.  The  original  was  in  the  pos- 
session of  Col.  Nathaniel  Gilman,  of  Exeter. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly, 
Mass. 

Exeter,  Feby  13th,  1737-8 
Dear  Sir 

Yours  of  Jany  25th  came  to  hand  this  Morning  which 
has  given  me  No  Small  Satisfaction,  'tis  a  Token  you 
have  not  forgotten  there  was  (at  least)  once  such  an  one 
as  I  am:  As  much  as  I  may  have  been  tho't  to  have 
courted  Retirement  I  must  own  'tis  agreable  to  have  My 
Friends  take  notice  of  me  —  I  suppose  it  extreamly  dif- 
ficult for  any  one  with  patience  to  bear  being  slighted  by 
those  we  have  a  Value  for,  especially  if  we  have  been  once 
in  their  Favour,  or  have  so  much  as  Courted  it.  Your 
Kind  Letter  is  also  an  occasion  of  the  further  pleasure  I 
receive  in  Answering  it,  which  I  must  confefs  would  be 
greater  might  I  be  so  happy  as  to  write  anything  worth 
your  Regard.  Sir,  I  impute  it  not  as  any  fault  in  you 
that  you  have  so  long  neglected  writing,  but  accept  it  as 
a  Favour  that  you  have  written  at  Length.  I  thank  you 
for  the  Account  you  have  given  me  of  the  age  that  many 
of  the  Ancient  Poets,  philosophers  and  Heroes  of  both 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  35 

Greece  and  Rome  arrivd  to  before  they  were  called  to 
quit  this  Earthly  Stage.  You  observe  of  them  that  they 
were  for  the  most  part  famous  while  yet  in  the  flower  of 
their  days;  Mayn't  this  together  with  the  Age  they  at- 
tained to  give  us  reason  to  think  that,  together  with  an 
Exalted  Genius  they  were  Blest  with  an  Athletick  con- 
stitution, So  that  they  Underwent  without  Fatigue  the 
contemplations  and  Intense  Study,  that  might  Weary  & 
even  wear  out  the  Tender  constitution  of  many  of  their 
Contemporary's,  by  that  Time  they  arrived  at  the  Noon 
of  Life,  &  probably  in  those  Ages  of  the  World,  when  the 
prefs  was  wanting,  men  more  rarely  produced  their 
Works  to  Publick  View  till  age  &  Experience  had  ripened 
their  Judgment  &  their  Reputation  for  Wit  or  Wisdom 
was  well  established.  —  So  that  the  Works  of  few  are 
Left  but  such  as  were  Men  of  Long  Life. 

Men  indeed  that  are  formed  by  Nature  for  a  Longer 
Duration  in  this  World  Seem  to  have  much  the  Advan- 
tage of  Tender  Constitutions  for  deep  penetration  & 
great  Atchievements  —  their  Spirits  are  not  so  Volatile, 
nor  do  they  undergo  So  frequent  Changes  but  can  Under- 
take &  pursue  an  Attempt  to  what  length  they  please  in 
much  the  same  Temper. —  Many  a  Great  Soul  pofsefsed 
with  bright  and  Super1-  powers  capable  of  making  extra- 
ordinary flights,  has  been  much  deprefsed  &  kept  from 
Rising  by  a  near  Alliance  to  a  Crazy  Carcase.  —  I  am  but 
little  acquainted  with  the  History  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton, 
who  has  obtained  with  most  the  Epithet  of  Incomparable. 
I  shoud  be  glad  to  know  more  of  him  —  but  if  I  mistake 
not  he  attained  to  a  great  age,  I  think  upward  of  four 
Score  —  I  dont  Suppose  his  Spirits  were  Exhausted  or 
his  Joints  afflicted  with  Scorbutick  pains  by  that  time  he 
had  Sat  an  hour  or  two  Swallowed  up  in  thought.  ^  Heav- 
en (it  seems)  had  every  way  formed  him  to  Shine  in  these 
Ages  as  a  Star  of  the  first  Magnitude.  He  has  indeed 
carried  the  Matter  So  far  that  very  few  have  Mathemat- 
icks  enough  to  Understand  his  Demonstrations,  yet  the 
most  accurate  Mathematicians  allow  them  to  be  Such  and 
rely  on  his  Conclusions,  as  propositions  well  proved  — 
He  has  Shown  how  far  Mathematicks  applyd  to  some 
parts  of  Nature,  may  upon  principles  that  Matter  of  Fact 


36  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Justify,  carry  us  in  to  to  the  knowledge  of  Some  particu- 
lar provinces  of  the  Universe.  —  I  doubt  not  but  that 
great  Man  found  (the  further  he  went)  a  Larger  field  of 
Knowledge  Still  opening  to  his  View  —  and  'tis  not  im- 
pofsible  but  he  might  have  a  glimpse  of  many  things  the 
fuller  discovery  whereof  may  be  refered  for  future 
Ages.  —  It  seems  we  cannot  tell  what  discoveries  are  to 
be  made  to  the  Sons  of  Men  'eer  the  Winding  up  of  the 
present  Scene. —  but  men  of  Tender  Constitutions  Seem 
to  have  little  reason  to  flatter  themselves  they  Shall  be 
likely  to  penetrate  so  far  as  they  might  do  were  they 
formed  by  Nature  to  Attain  the  Longevity  of  the  An- 
cients whom  you  mention  —  I  Think  for  a  very  tender 
Man  Watts  the  Poet  Laureat  of  the  Christian  Church  has 
done  as  worthily  as  any  man  I  know  of.  —  His  pen  has 
produced  many  pieces  very  excellent  in  Their  Kind.  You 
Sir  have  Some  of  His  Works  I  believe  by  you  &  I  flatter 
myself  you  think  with  me  in  what  I  have  Said  of  him.  —  I 
make  no  doubt  he  will  be  allowed  a  Great  Man  by  men  of 
Discerning.  It  seems  to  have  been  happy  in  exercising 
himself  much  in  that  Wherein  his  Genius  Most  excells  & 
that  is  the  way  for  Men  to  Shine  —  There  is  a  beautiful 
variety  in  the  powers  of  Men  which  conspire  in  the 
Mutual  afsistance  of  one  another  in  the  Various  Con- 
cerns of  Life — without  doubt  it  concerns  every  one  with- 
in his  own  Sphere  to  act  his  part  well  in  as  much  as  the 
present  life  well  improvd  is  an  Introduction  to  true  Liv- 
ing—  and  as  you  well  observe  We  have  little  reason  to 
Complain  of  the  Shortnef s  of  Life  unlef s  we  were  careful 
to  Improve  the  flying  Moments  to  Better  Advantage. — 
As  to  what  you  hint  at  concerning  Heroick  actions  it 
doubtlefs  becomes  Superior  Souls  to  efsay  at  Noble  & 
generous  things.  —  I  hope  by  the  Succef  s  you  have  Some- 
times found  you  will  be  encouragd  to  efsays  for  the  Good 
of  Mankind  which  (at  least)  Your  Own  Country  &  the 
present,  if  not  future  Generations  will  think  themselves 
indebted  to  you  for  —  Believe  it  will  be  so  and  never 
fear — Nemo  Magnus  Sine  Aliquo  Afflatu  Divino  Unquam 
fuit  —  Saith  Cicero  De  N  D.  There  is  much  remains  to 
be  done  towards  bettering  the  State  of  our  Land  —  Many 
designs  which  Our  Patriots  woud  do  well  to  Signallize 
themselves  in  carrying  an  End. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  37 

I  find  I  am  running  this  Letter  to  an  unreasonable 
Length  and  Shall  hasten  to  a  Close  reserving  Something 
for  next  time.  —  As  for  late  occurrences  I  have  little  to 
mention. —  'Tis  (I  think)  a  time  of  General  Health 
among  us.  Some  few  have  Lately  been  visited  with  a 
fever.  —  John  Kimballs  Wife  dy'd  Last  Lords  day  Aet. 
35.  —  Brother  D.  G.1  has  had  a  sharp  fit  of  Sicknefs  but 
is  (I  hope)  Recovering.  —  The  Rev.  Mr.  Secomb  of  King- 
ston is  Labouring  to  Introduce  among  his  people  the 
singing  of  Mr.  Watts 's  Psalms.  —  Now  Sir  (if  you 
please ) „  Give  my  Service  to  my  New  Kinswoman,  the 
present  Dear  Delight  of  your  Eyes,  whom  I  have  never 
yet  had  the  happinef s  to  see —  With  her  I  wish  you  Abun- 
dance of  Comfort  and  that  you  may  rejoice  together  as 
Heirs  of  the  Grace  of  Life  and  be  late  Called  to  a  Sep- 
aration —  But 

My  Pen  E'e'n  tires  yet  must  not  fail  to  join  — 
I  am  as  much  your  Friend  as  you  are  mine  — 
On  other  Scores  I  freely  own  that  you 
May  claim  Superiority.  —  Adieu. 

N  Gilman. 

R.  Hale  Esq 

25 

This  little  book  is  made  of  sheets  sewed  together  as  was 
often  the  case  in  those  days  when  paper  was  expensive. 
The  first  page  was  written  in  a  childish  hand.  Some 
notes  of  sermons  are  omitted. 

Bartholomew  Gilman  his  book  and  hand  exeter  Decern1"  16 

1741 
an  acount  of  the  holy  lives  and  triumphant  Deaths  of  some 

let  us  then  hear  how  mr  holland  a  memorable  saint  and 
rarely  qualified  preacher  exprest  himself  when  in  the 

i  Daniel  Gilman,  1702-1780,  was  the  "Uncle  DanH"  in  later  letters  from 
Joseph  Gilman.  In  his  will,  he  gave  the  use  of  his  "Silver  Tankard"  to 
' '  the  church  of  Chrift  in  Exeter  whereof  the  Eevd  Daniel  Rogers  is  paftor. ' ' 
Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman,  of  whom  we  shall  hear  much,  was  Daniel  Gilman 's 
grandson. 


38  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

valley  of  the  Shadow  of  death  as  one  was  reading  to  him 
the  eight11  chapter  of  pauls  epistle  to  the  romans  on  the 
sudden  he  said  "oh  stay  your  reading  what  brightnefs 
"I  see  have  you  lit  up  any  candles  to  which  answer  was 
"made  no  it  is  the  sunshine  nay  says  he  my  saviour 
"shines  now  farewell  world  welcome  heaven  the  day 
"star  from  on  high  hath  visitd  my  heart  0  Speak  it 
"when  I  Am  gone  preach  it  at  my  funerall  god  dealeth 
"familiary  men 

[The  following  is  in  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman's  writing.] 
N.  B.  This  was  written  the  Morning  before  he  was  taken 
Sick  of  his  Last  Sicknef  s. 

Bartholomew  Gilman,  Son  of  Nicholas  and  Mary  Gil- 
man  of  Exeter  was  born  August,  26th  1731.  —  And  died 
Decr  23d  1741.  Aged  10,  years  3  Months  &  27  Days  — 
From  his  Infancy  He  was  remarkably,  Serious,  a  Dutif ull 
obedient  Child,  of  a  Pleasant  disposition.  He  delighted 
but  little  in  thee  Toys  &  Trifles  So  natural  to  Children  of 
his  Age  —  His  Book  was  much  his  Delight,  in  which  He 
profited  for  the  Time  above  Most  of  his  Companions; 
towards  the  Close  of  his  Life  before  he  was  taken  Sick 
He  became  very  intent  on  the  Things  of  God  and  Re- 
ligion, And  before  his  Death  did  hopefully  Experience  a 
Regenerating  Change  —  His  Sicknef s  which  was  the 
Throat  Distemper  lasted  a  Week,  in  Which  tho'  at  times 
He  breathd  with  Difficulty  yet  He  discoverd  Admirable 
Patience  and  great  Willingnefs  to  dy  &  go  to  Christ  —  He 
gave  his  Companions  that  came  to  his  Bedfide,  Solemn 
Advice  discoverd  a  Weanednefs  from  this  World  and 
readinefs  to  leave  it,  Lovd  to  have  praying  and  reading 
in  the  Bible  &  pitchd  upon  certain  Chapters  which  he 
chose  to  hear  Read  over  and  instead  of  being  tird  with 
hearing  was  Concernd  lest  he  Shoud  weary  Others  in 
reading  to  Him ;  He  was  taken  Sick  Decr  16th  lay  Sick  a 
Week  and  then  (I  trust)  fell  afleep  in  Jesus. — 

After  his  Decease  were  found  of  his  writing  the  follow- 
ing Letters  and  other  writings  which  are  here  pref ervd  — 
4.  A  Letter  to  his  Cousin  Dnl  L-l  of  Haverhill 
Dear  affectionate  Cousin  let  us  Join  together  to  blefs 
God  for  what  Marvellous  work  he  is  now  doing  at  the 
Bank  Let  us  pray  to  God  that  his  Word  may  run  and 
have  free  course,  and  May  it  be  glorify 'd,  that  many 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  39 

Souls  may  be  newborn  to  Christ,  0  let  us  pray  that  All 
Nations  may  be  gatherd  unto  that  great  Shepherd  & 
Bishop  of  Souls,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  let  us  pray  that 
we  may  be  truly  and  Sincerely  humble,  for  all  our  Sins, 
and  let  us  pray  to  God  against  all  pride  &  haughtinef  s  of 
Spirit  for  God  resisteth  the  proud  but  giveth  grace  to  the 
Humble  —  And  I  would  have  you  pray  for  all  the  Mercies 
you  Stand  in  Need  of  for  Time  and  Eternity  I  Just  run 
over  a  few  lines,  I  had  but  a  little  time  I  woud  have  you 
Send  me  a  Letter  or  come  and  See  me  your  Self  —  The 
Folks  are  all  pretty  well  and  healthy — 
I  remember  My  Love  to  all  my  Friends  — 
This  was  the  first  letter  that  was  written  by  Me  — 

Bartholomew  Gilman 
5.     a  Letter  to  his  Parents  at  Durham  — 
Exeter  Decr  10. 1741. 

Honoured  Father  and  Mother,  after  my  Most  Humble 
duty  to  you  and  Love  to  all  My  Brothers,  I  take  Now  to 
write  to  you  for  My  Latin  &  English  Esop  Fables,  And 
if  you  please,  Mr  Watts  Psalms  And — I  hear  that 
God  carrys  on  his  Work  Very  Powerfully  there,  which 
We  have  reason  to  blefs  God  for  —  and  by  what  I  can 
learn,  it  is  very  dull  times  here,  —  I  run  over  a  few  lines. 
I  hope  to  see  you  in  a  little  time. 


Mr  Elisha  Odlin  burycV 
his  Youngest  Son  last 
night  with  the  throat 
Diftemper 


Your  Dutifull  Son 

Bartholomew  Gilman. 


26 

Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  was  not  ordained  until  1742, 
when  he  went  to  the  church  at  Durham,  N.  H.  This  is 
not  an  extraordinary  way  of  "settling  Salary,"  as  in 
Stone's  History  of  Beverly,  p.  210,  Rev.  John  Hale's 
agreement  with  his  church  is  substantially  the  same. 

Settling  Salary  on  Revd  N  G  at  Durham 
Pork  500lb  of  hogs  That  weig  150  or  200  pounds  or  up- 
ward.    That  is  well  fatted 
Beaf  600  lb 
Candles  30  lb  at 


40  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Wheat  10  Bushels 
Winter  Rye  15  Bufhels 
Indian  Corn  30  Bushels 
Molafses  20  Gallons 

Sugar  half  an  hundred  Such  as  May  Now  be  had  by  The 
100  at  7-10-0  P  hundred 
Malt  for  Bear  for  a  year  10.  Bushels 
Cyder  Ten  Barrels. 
Rum  Gallons  or  wine 

apples  Such  as  are  good  for  winter  20  Bushels 
Turnops  5  Bushels  &  3  of  Petatoes 

Pastoring  &  wintering  4  Cows  &  an  horfe  &  keeping  an 
horfe  fhod  Thro'  The  year  The  Pastoring  To  be  good  & 
handy  and  The  wintering  To  be  upon  good  English  hay 
&  keeping  summer  &  winter  Strangers  horfes. 
wood  40  Cord  If  I  fhould  Need  fo  Much  for  firewood  To 
be  hailed  To  my  Door  in  4  foot  length  all  To  be  Brought 
To  my  houfe  one  year  after  another  without  My  being 
Put  to  any  Trouble  or  Charge  for  The  procuring  or  pur- 
chasing of  ym 

&  an  hundred  &  Ten  pounds  P  year  for  This  first  year  & 
Then  The  additions  of  Ten  pounds  p  year  for  4  year  &  yn 
150  £  P  year  To  be  Paid  in  pafsable  Bills  of  Credit  in 
This  Province  &  in  Cafe  Said  Bills  Should  be  Still  far- 
ther depretiated  So  That  The  Same  number  of  Pounds  in 
The  Name  of  ym  Should  Not  be  in  value  Sufficient  to  pur- 
chafe  The  Same  Sort  and  as  Much  of  Every  Sort  of 
Cloathing  or  any  other  necefsaries  for  The  Support  of 
my  family  as  They  will  do  in  This  Prefent  year  Receiv- 
ing Goods  at  So  Much  p  cent  as  They  were  Sold  in  Bos- 
ton for  paper  Bills  by  The  Merchants  at  The  Time 
when  This  Call  was  made  Me  by  Durham.  Then  There 
Shall  be  an  addition  of  as  many  More  pounds  as  Shall 
Make  The  money  part  of  My  Salary  Sufficient  in  value 
To  purchafe  The  fame  &  as  many  of  any  &  every  Sort  of 
Thing  That  I  fhall  want  in  my  family  Befides  The  pro- 
vifion  part  of  my  family  as  an  150  pounds  would  pur- 
chafe at  ye  time  aforefd  &  in  cafe  Sa  paper  Bills  Should 
become  more  valuable  Then  z  much  as  They  fhall  be 
More  valuable  for  The  purchafing  what  I  want  So  much 
lef  s  yn  an  150  Shall  The  Money  Part  of  My  Salary  be  So 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  41 

yl  My  Meaning  is  That  The  Money  part  of  my  Salary 
Shall  be  of  as  Much  value  To  me  for  The  purchafing 
what  I  want  for  my  family  every  year  as  It  was  when 
Durham  gave  me  a  call  To  the  Ministry  &  of  No  more 
value  Regarding  the  value  of  Money  for  the  purchafing 
Necefsaries  &  Not  the  Name  of  fo  many  pounds 
&  The  Provifions  &  Money  To  be  paid  at  or  before  The 
time  Specified  in  The  fall  or  If  The  Town  fail  hereof  & 
their  failure  prove  a  Damage  To  me  They  Shall  make 
good  The  Damage  I  fhall  fuftain  by  Their  Neglect. 
&  In  Cafe  paper  Bills  Should  entirely  ceafe  Then  what- 
ever Should  be  a  Medium  of  Trade.  My  Meaning  is  yl 
The  Town  Should  pay  Me  in  That  Medium  as  Much  z 
Shall  be  in  value  Equal  To  an  hundred  &  fifty  pounds 
anno  1739  when  Durham  Gave  me  a  Call  To  The  work  of 
the  Ministry  i  e  So  much  of  That  Medium  as  Shall  enable 
Me  To  purchafe  as  Much  Cloathing  or  as  Maney  of  Thofe 
Things  as  are  necefsary  &  convenient  for  the  Support  of 
my  family  as  an  150£  would  have  Enabled  Me  to  pur- 
chafe Anno  1739. 

&  In  Case  it  Should  So  happen  That  There  Should  be 
any  dispute  Concerning  our  agreement  That  Each  party 
Shall  leave  it  To  3  Neighbouring  Ministers  &  Three  of  his 
Majesties  Justices  of  the  peace  in  The  Next  Neighbor- 
hood To  determine  the  Intent  &  true  meaning  of  our 
agreement. 

27 
Richard  Woodbury  was  a  fanatic  who  gained  great 
power  over  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  after  the  visit  of 
George  Whitefield  to  New  England.  A  number  of  min- 
isters objected  to  the  religious  excitement  that  followed 
this  visit.  William  C.  Gilman,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  owns 
the  diary  of  Nicholas  Gilman  during  the  last  years  of 
his  life  and  it  is  a  distressing  record  of  the  growing 
mental  unbalance  of  a  gentle  but  naturally  melancholy 
nature.  Rev.  Mr.  Gilman  died  in  1748.  Rev.  Mr.  Web- 
ster remained  as  pastor  of  this  church  for  many  years 
after  this  letter. 


42  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Richard  Woodbury  and  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Rev. 
Mr.  Webster,  Salisbury,  Mass. 

In  the  Name  of  the  King  of  Kings  &  Lord  of  Lords  — 
To  the  Revd  Mr  Webster,  Pastor  of  a  Church  of  Christ  in 
Salisbury  —  Revd  Sir  —  Consider  the  weight  and  great- 
nef  s  of  your  Charge  in  that  you  have  Precious  Souls  com- 
mitted to  your  care,  which  you  are  to  educate  &  train  up 
in  the  Nurture  and  Admonition  of  the  Lord,  Think  what 
account  you  have  to  give  when  You  and  others  must  give 
account  of  Your  Stewardship  and  how  you  have  improvd 
the  Talents  committed  to  your  Trust  —  Consider  whether 
you  are  in  the  way  of  your  Duty,  while  you  do  not  come 
forth  to  vindicate  and  promote  the  good  Work  of  God 
that  has  been  going  on  in  the  Land  So  remarkably,  Since 
the  Time  Dear  Mr  Whitefield  was  Sent  thro  the  Land,  — 
Him  God  has  honour 'd  and  will  honour  tho'  many  have 
defpised  him,  and  if  they  repent  Not  it  will  be  to  their 
Confusion  — 

(Read  Eccl.  11.9  — &  Eccl.  10.1.  &  12. 1,13.  &  11.5.) 

If  you  cou'd  but  understand  What  a  great  Charge, 
Yours  is  —  'twould  be  enough  to  make  you  tremble  to 
think  how  dolefull  it  will  be,  and  how  Awfull  your  ac- 
count, if  you  are  guilty  of  the  Blood  of  Souls  perishing 
thro '  your  Neglect.  Read  Ezek.  33d  &  34th  Chap.  —  Now, 
Sir,  if  you  woud  approve  Your  Self  a  Faithfull  Soldier 
of  Your  Lord  and  King,  Gird  on  Your  Armour,  come 
forth  and  vindicate  the  Lords  Quarrell.  — 

(Mark.  Eccl.  12.  7,14. — )  If  you  have  not  experienced 
a  Work  of  Grace  in  Your  Own  Soul,  you  are  not  capable 
of  duly  instructing  others  in  the  Way  of  Life  and  happi- 
nefs  —  the  work  that  has  been  going  on  in  the  Land,  I 
know  to  be  a  good  work  of  the  Grace  of  God,  by  many 
Years  experience  of  it  in  My  own  Soul  which  has  of  late 
been  greatly  reviv'd  and  Blefsed  be  God  My  Heart  is 
daily  refreshd  with  the  Love  of  Christ,  which  Love  Con- 
strains me  to  write  thus  to  you  — 

Richd  Woodbury  (Seal) 

—  Newbury  — May  27, 1744  — 

Revd  Sir  — 

I  doubt  not,  you  have  heard  many  in  those  days  rejoyc- 
ing  in  a  Sence  of  the  Love  of  God  Shed  abroad  in  their 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  43 

hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  given  unto  them,  (as  Rom. 
5.5.)  You  have  doubtlefs  also  read  &  heard  the  great  cry 
of  Enthusiasm  that  has  been  raised  to  prejudice  the  Po- 
lite and  Speculative  part  of  Mankind  —  I  have  read  Much 
of  this  Sort,  but  find  it  is  a  Theme  More  talkd  of  than 
Understood  — Jn°  14.17.     1  Cor.  2.13,  14,  15.— 

There  is  a  Vail  over  the  good  work  of  the  present  day, 
which  is  not  to  be  removd  but  by  —  Asking  Jesus  Alone  — 
&  where  this  Vail  is  thick — by  Solemn  Fasting  and 
prayer.  Mat.  13.9  —  to  17  —  which  in  Love  I  recommend 
to  You  —  and  am  Your  Friend  &  Serv1  in  X* 

Nich°  Gilman 

28 

The  date  of  this  letter  is  so  manifestly  a  mistake  that 
I  venture  to  place  it  where  it  seems  to  belong.  Col.  Rob- 
ert Hale  was  given  the  command  of  the  Fifth  Massachu- 
setts in  the  expedition  against  Louisburg  planned  by 
Governor  Shirley,  and  Benjamin  Ives  received  his  com- 
mission as  captain  on  February  12,  1745.  This  Benja- 
min Ives  was  the  son  of  Captain  Benjamin  Ives  and  Ann 
Derby  of  Salem  and  had  married  Colonel  Hale's  only 
child,  Elizabeth,  October  12,  1743.  They  had  one  child 
at  this  time,  a  son,  Robert  Hale  Ives. 

Benjamin  Ives  to  Col.  Robert  Hale. 

Beverly  Feby  3.  1745-6 

Hona  Sr 

When  I  came  to  Charleston  Ferry  on  Friday  last  I  met 
a  Letter  from  my  Father  to  do  some  bufinefs  for  him  at 
Cambridge,  so  that  I  could  not  get  Home  'till  Satterday 
&  lost  ye  opportunity  of  sending  yr  Horfe,  but  have  now 
sent  Her  P  Mr  Ellingwood,  wth  yr  Baggs  &  a  Shirt,  — 

We  are  all  well  here,  Mother x  is  here  at  my  Houfe  & 
verry  cheerly ;  I  hope  you  won't  make  all  yr  Undr  Officer's 
'till  you  come  Home,  I  am  Yr  Dutifull  Son 

Bena  Ives  Jimr 

29 

The  Nicholas  Gilman  referred  to  in  this  letter  was  a 

i  Mrs.  Eobert  Hale. 


44  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

son  of  Col.  John  Gilman  and  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Rob- 
ert Hale,  Sr.  He  was  thus  a  half-brother  of  both  Col. 
Robert  Hale  and  Col.  Peter  Gilman.  Col.  John  Gilman 
had  died  about  1742  and  his  widow  was  living  at  this  time 
with  her  step-son,  Col.  Peter  Gilman,  in  the  old  Gilman 
Garrison  House,  in  Exeter.  We  note  that  Col.  Robert 
Hale  was  a  practising  physician. 

Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass. 

Exeter  March  13th  1745. 
Dear  Broth1- 

after  Cordial  Salutation;  Thefe  may  Inform  you  of 
the  State  of  bro.  Nich0  he  Remain*1  much  as  he  was  wn  you 
Left  him,  for  abl  8  or  10  days  Every  thing  Seem'd  to 
work  well  &  he  Seemd  most  of  the  Time  much  more  Com- 
fortable as  to  his  bodyly  disorder  yn  he  had  been  for  Sum 
Time  before,  but  Sine  that  he  has  been  Takein  with  Some- 
thing of  apurging  for  Several  days  tho  not  violent  but 
has  much  weekned  him;  the  night  before  Last  his  Cough 
Seemd  dry  &  he  was  put  to  much  dificulty  to  Rafe  &  So 
Remains :  yesterday  he  had  as  bad  or  worf e  day  yn  Since 
his  Confinem1  Something  more  Comfortable  this  day. 
but  —  Exceeding  weak.  &  he  is  very  defirous  If  you  Think 
you  can  help  him;  If  pofsible  to  Come  &  See  him  once 
more ;  but  if  there  is  no  pof  sibility  of  your  Comeing.  to 
write  w*  you  think  may  be  proper  to  be  done  further  for 
him ;  by  the  next  post  Mother  is  well ;  pref ents  her  Love 
to  you  &  defire  youd  Send  her  Some  Conferve  of  Red 
Roles ;  proper  Regards  to  all  f rinds  I  am  Dr  Sr  Your  Sin- 
cere Frind  &  Broth1-  P  Gilman 

P.  S.  Plefe  if  you  write  direct  your  Lter  to  be  Left  at 
Swets  at  hamtonfalls.  where  I  will  fend  over  In  order  to 
Receive  It. 

30 
John  Payne  to   Col.  Robert  Hale,  Louisburg,  Cape 
Breton. 

Sir, 
I  hope  this  will  find  you  at  Louisbourg  with  a  Bowl  of 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  45 

Punch  a  Pipe  and  a  P k  of  C ds  in  your  hand  and 

whatever  else  you  desire   (I  had  forgot  to  mention  a 
Pretty  French  Madammoselle) 

We  are  very  Impatiently  expecting  to  hear  from  you 
Your  Friend  Luke  has  lost  feveral  Beever  Hatts  already 
concerning  the  Expedition  he  is  so  very  Zealous  about  it 
that  he  has  turn'd  Poor  Boutier  out  of  his  House  for 
Saying  he  believ  'd  you  would  not  Take  the  Place  —  Damn 
his  Blood  Says  Luke  let  him  be  an  Englishman  or  a 
French  Man  and  not  pretend  to  be  an  Englishman  when 
he  is  a  Frenchman  in  his  Heart. 

If  Drinking  to  your  Succefs  would  Take  Cape  Breton 
you  must  be  in  Pofefsion  of  it  now  for  it's  a  ftanding 
Toast  I  think  ye  least  thing  you  Military  Gent"  can  do 
is  to  find  us  some  arrack  when  you  take  ye  Place  to  Cele- 
brate your  Victory  and  not  to  force  us  to  do  it  in  Rum 
Punch  or  Lukes'  bad  wine  or  Sou'r  Cyder  —  But  a  Word 
to  ye  Wise  is  Sufficient  — 

I  can't  write  you  any  News  so  have  Inclos'd  you  the 
Prints  to  amuse  you  at  your  Leizure  Hours  — 

I  hope  my  next  will  acquaint  you  that  I  had  a  Lucky 
Gentn  to  chuse  my  Tickets  in  which  case  I  have  a  Bowl  of 
the  best  Egg  at  your  Service  and  will  be  your  Partner  at 
whisk  as  long  as  you  please  without  crying  to  go  to  Bed 
upon  your  Return  — 

I  should  be  glad  to  receive  a  Line  from  you  when  you 
have  opportunity  which  would  be  very  acceptable  to 

Sr  Yr  Humble  Serv1 

John  Payne 

Since  my  Writing  the  above  We  have  recd  the  good 
News  of  your  arrival  at  Canso  and  hope  the  next  ace1 
will  be  from  Lewisburg  if  the  Martineco  Fleet  dont  pay 
you  a  Visit  J-  P- 

Boston  April  24.  1745. 
Robert  Hale  Esq1"  Service  to  all  Friends 


31 

Samuel  Gilman  was  the  second  son  of  Col.  John  Gil- 
man  and  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Robert  Hale,  Sr.,  and  so 
he   was    Col.   Hale's   half-brother.    He   called   himself 


46  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

" junior"  probably  because  there  were  other  Samuels  in 
the  older  generation. 

Samuel  Gilman,  Jr.,  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Louisburg, 
Cape  Breton. 

Dear  Br° 

Ive  but  Just  time  to  Let  you  Know,  —  something  of 
our  curcumftances  —  our  Dear  &  Hon'd  mother  is  well, 
&  is  Longing,  &  waiting  to  hear  from  you.  —  Br°  Nich0  & 
his  wife  are  still  under  Very  Poor  curcumftances,  other 
friends  are  Generly  well  as  I  hope  thr'o  the  Goodnefs  of 
a  mercifull  God  thif  will  find  you.  It  was  a  Great  Grief 
to  me  jl  I  had  no  opportunity  to  see  you  before  you  went 
on  this  Expedition:  But  my  Dear  Br°  th'o  I  had  no  op- 
pertunity  of  seeing  you,  nor  of  hearing  Particularly  from 
you,  yet  my  hearts  Defier  &  Prayer  to  God  is  y*  you  may 
Preferv'd  th'o  In  ye  middst  of  danger  &  Dear  Br°  may  I 
not  say  to  you  as  was  once  said  to  a  Great  Genar11  Be 
Valient  For  the  Lord:  for  I  trust  it  is  his  cause  yl 
you  are  Ingag'd  in,  therefore  dr  Br°  Look  to  him  for 
yl  Wifdome,  y*  is  Profitable  to  direct  in  this  Important 
affair,  —  ware  you  here  you  wou'd  think  y*  all  Gods 
People  ware  engag'd  wh  you,  &  can't  but  think  this 
a  good  omen  for  I  believe  the  Hand  of  faith  is  Lifted  up 
Up  on  yr  acct.  &  we  hope  that  then  Isrell  will  Pravil  in  an 
Espefiel  manner  — 

as  to  Publick  News  you  will  no  doubt  be  Inform 'd  fr° 
thofe  better  Qualified  to  wright 

Iv'e  Nothing  to  add  (it  being  near  12:  at  Night)  but 
yl  I  am  yr  Loving  (th'o  Very  unworthy)  Br° 

Sam1  Gilman  Junr : 
P.  S.     Pray  Remember  me  to  my  d-r  Kinfm  mr  Ives  — 

we  shoud  be  much  Rejoyc'd  to  have  a  Letter  fr°  you 
Exeter  Aprill  ye  29th  1745  — 

To 
Col0  Robert  Hale 

Esq6 

in  ye  Expedition 

against  Cape  Breton 

thefe 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  47 

32 

The  American  Antiquarian  Society  owns  a  manuscript 
diary  of  Col.  Robert  Hale  which  has  to  do  with  this 
period  of  his  life  and  would  be  of  great  interest  to  his 
descendants,  but  it  is  too  voluminous  to  be  incorporated 
in  these  volumes.  A  number  of  quotations  from  it  are 
given  in  Weedon's  Social  and  Economic  History  of  New 
England. 

The  Robert  Gilman  whom  Col.  Peter  Gilman  recom- 
mends to  the  care  of  Col.  Robert  Hale  was  a  son  of  Col. 
John  Gilman  and  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth  Coffin  and 
so  was  a  step-brother  of  Col.  Hale's.  He  was  surgeon 
in  the  Louisburg  Expedition  and  was  wounded  in  the 
campaign.  "Dr.  Mr.  Moody"  was  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Moody  of  York,  "who  went  as  chaplain  and  so  confident 
was  he  of  success  that  he  took  with  him  a  hatchet  to  cut 
the  images  in  the  Catholic  churches."1 

Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Louisburg, 
Cape  Breton. 

Dear  Brothr 

Thefe  few  Lines  Come  to  Inform  you  that  your  Exeter 
frinds  &  Ralations  are  Generly  well,  hopeing  thefe  may 
find  you  So  our  Dr  mother  Sends  her  kind  Love  to  you  & 
wants  much  To  Know  how  you  D°  &  Expects  You11  Send 
her  a  leter  by  the  first  oppertunity  I  Hope  Dr  Sr  that 
the  Great  God  who  I  Trust  has  inclined  you  to  Ingage  In 
this  Great  affair  for  the  DefTence  of  our  Cuntry  Will  In- 
able  you  at  all  Times  to  Put  your  Trust  in  him  &  Give 
you  a  Refignd  frame  of  mind  to  all  the  Dealings  of  his 
wife  Providence  Towards  You  &  Prepare  you  By  his 
Specil  Love  &  favor  for  all  Events  of  his  Providence  and 
Tho  the  archers  may  Shoot  Sore  at  you  I  hope  the  Lord 
will  Cauf e  Your  Bow  to  abide  in  Strength  and  that  your 
Arms  may  be  made  Strong  by  the  hands  of  the  mighty 
God  of  Jacob.  Dr  Sr  how  It  may  Plefe  the  Lord  to  Deal 
with  us  In  regard  to  our  haveing  an  oppertunity  of  See 

i  Coffin 's  History  Newbury,  215. 


48  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

one  another  hear  I  Can'1  Tell  But  hope  we  shall  be  Pre- 
pared for  the  Second  Comeing  of  our  Dr  Redeemer  and 
to  meet  &  Dwell  with  him  together  In  his  Kingdom  above : 
where  we  Shall  never  more  hear  the  Clanr"  of  War,  or 
Garmants  Rold  In  Blod.  I  Beg  —  Dr  Brother  that  you 
will  have  an  Eye  over  Br°  Robert  &  Councill  &  Direct  him 
in  that  that  may  be  Best  for  him  If  he  Stands  in  need  at 
any  Time  for  any  Thing  that  may  be  for  his  Comfortable 
Subfistance.  If  it  may  be  in  your  power  to  Suply  him 
I  will  Satisfie  you  to  Content  Plefe  to  Give  my  Duty  To 
your  Worthy  Generall  and  to  Dr  Mr  Moody  .  .  .  Re- 
spect to  all  Inquiring  friend8  I  fhould  be  Exceding  Glad 
if  youd  Plefe  to  favor  me  with  a  Line  from  you  by  the 
first  oppertunitie  I  am  with  all  Proper  Regards  Your 
Sincere  friend  &  affectionate  Broth1" 
Portm0  May  3d  1745  Peter  Gilman 

33 

Gov.  William  Shirley  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Louisburg, 

Cape  Breton. 

Boston  June  23.  1745 
Sir, 

I  have  receiv'd  two  Letters  from  you,  one  from  Canso, 
the  other  from  before  Louisburg,  &  according  to  the  re- 
queft  of  your  laft  have  fent  you  another  f  urge  on  in  the 
room  of  that  wch  you  mention  to  be  detain 'd  from  your 
Regiment  on  board  the  Hofpital  Vefsell;  His  name  is 
Hay;  I  sign'd  his  Warrant  two  hours  ago  as  second  Doc- 
tor or  furgeon  to  your  Regiment  —  I  am  forry  yl  the  Com- 
panies under  your  Command  fhould  have  suffered  for 
want  of  Medicines  or  proper  Attendance,  &  particularly 
to  hear  yl  you  have  been  injurd  in  your  own  health  in  the 
time  of  your  f ervice ;  I  gave  you  a  Regiment  purely  out 
of  the  regard,  I  had  for  you,  &  shd  have  been  glad  if  the 
Command  might  have  been  of  f ervice  to  your  Intereft — 
I  hope  however  y*  fuccefs,  of  w°h  from  the  General's  and 
Commodore's  Letters  to  me,  there  seems  to  be  a  good 
prospect,  may  restore  your  health  and  clear  up  all  gloomy 
prospects ;  In  the  mean  time  nothing  will  more  contribute 
to  an  happy  Ifsue  of  the  Land  fervice  yn  Harmony  be- 
tween the  field  Officers,  nor  be  a  more  certain  Method  of 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  49 

eftablifhing  the  Character  of  every  Gentleman  than  a 
disposition  to  cultivate  it.  In  the  inexprefsible  Hurry 
&  Multiplicities  of  Businefs,  wch  prefses  upon  me,  I  must 
Colonel  Hale  refer  you  to  Colonel  Choat  for  a  particular 
account  of  the  meafures,  I  am  taking  to  fupport  the  Ex- 
pedition—  I  wish  you  an  happy  meeting  wth  your  friends 
at  B  of  ton  and  am 
Sir, 

Your  Afsur'd  Friend  and  fervant 

W  Shirley. 

34 

Maj.  Moses  Titcomb  to  Col.  Robekt  Hale,  Beverly, 
Mass. 

Louisbourg  Feby  15.th.  1745-6 
Honod  Sir  — 

I  Receivd  Your  two  Letters  Bairing  Date  January  1st 
&  ditto  12th.  also  the  Sheep  and  bb1  of  Sundrys  By  Cap1 
Collyer  who  Arrived  here  the  lO.th.  Instant  And  Sir  I 
thank  You  for  the  Great  Care  You  Take  of  me  and  Your 
Giving  Your  Self  Such  great  Confern  for  For  the  Puplick 
good  of  this  Army  and  more  Espeatialy  those  of  Your 
Regiment —  Sir  Look  uppon  it  as  a  Good  Providence  that 
You  Went  Home  Sence  Your  Arguments  Have  Proved 
to  be  of  Such  Great  Weight — at  Court  in  Behalf  of  this 
Army  and  I  hope  Sir  You  Will  from  Time  to  time  do  all 
that  Lays  in  Your  Power  at  Court  that  Justice  may  Dun 
us  While  we  are  Detaind  here  to  Defend  this  Garrison  at 
ye  Expence  of  our  Lives  by  Such  Mortal  Sicknefs  that 
have  and  Still  Prevails  amongst  us.  Sumtimes  it  Seams 
to  abate  for  Some  Days  and  then  Returns  again  I  Hope 
that  God  Has  Mercy  in  Store  for  us  and  In  his  Own  Due 
Time  Restore  Helth  unto  us  again — Sir  You  Desiera  me 
to  Let  You  Know  how  the  Fresh  Provisions  that  is  Sent 
to  the  Army  are  Disposed  of  as  Soon  they  Came  the  Gen- 
erall  Calld  a  Councel  of  War  and  a  Vote  was  Pafsd  that 
they  Should  be  Deliver3  to  the  Compy  and  he  to  Deliver 
them  to  the  Sick  accordg  to  their  Numbers  in  Each  Com- 
pany which  Proof  we  have  Receivd  Will  be  Under  God  the 
Means  of  Saving  Many  of  our  Lives     Sir  According  to 


50  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

your  Desier  I  have  Sent  You  Inclosd  the  Acc°  of  the  Men 
that  Did  Belong  to  Your  Company  who  is  aLive  and  who 
is  Ded  — 

The  Master  of  the  Schooner  Keeps  all  the  things  that 
he  Brought  for  Your  Men  that  are  Ded  and  Says  that  it 
was  his  Orders  so  to  do,  Sir  I  Wish  You  Joy  with  the 
Honble  Post  Latly  Confer3  uppon  You  I  have  no  News 
Send  You  Having  None  But  what  Corns  From  New  Eng- 
land Sum  of  which  is  Very  Merry  Viz1  A  Number  of  Lads 
Being  arrivd  there  as  officers  to  Raise  Souldiers  for  this 
Garrison  For  my  Parte  I  Beleave  that  if  we  are  Not  to  be 
Releavd  before  it  is  Done  by  them  we  Shall  Stay  here 
Seaven  Years  Longer  and  Seventy  Times  Seven  to  the 
End  of  it  which  God  forbid  that  I,  or  any  of  mine  Should 
Stay  Six  Months  if  the  officers  that  have  kept  this  Garri- 
son Eaver  Sence  we  Came  into  it  Should  be  treated  in 
Such  a  Manner  as  we  hear  they  are  Like  to  be  Sir  this 
is  all  at  Preasant  from  Your  Most  Obed1  Humle  Ser1 

(Maf  Moses  Titcomb's  Letter  recd  Apr.  16.  1746) 1 
P.  S. 

Pleas  to  Give  my  Sarvis  to  Cap1  Ives  and  all  Friends 

Cap1  Glaizer  is  Well  and  Gives  his  Duty  to  You 

To 
Col0  Rob1  Hale  — 

In 
Bevirly  P  Cap1 

35 
This  pathetic  little  story  about  the  illness  and  death  of 
his  youngest  brother,  was  written  by  Tristram,  the  eldest 
surviving  son  of  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  when  he  was 
about  seventeen. 

John  Gilman  The  owner  of  this  Book  Cyphered  thus 
far  from  March  1752  To  May.  having  learn 't  no  farther 
yn  the  Rule  of  Three  before — &  this  without  any  Instruct- 
er  save  Wards  Arithmetick  &  my  Help  who  knew  no  far- 
ther yn  he He  had  learnd  To  write  a  Legible  Hand  — 

but  being  Sick  &  forc'd  to  lay  in  an  easy  Chair  He 

i  Note  by  Col.  Hale. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  51 

couldn't  write  what  he  had  leart  therefore  I  wrote  for 
him  &  had  he  had  Any  Master  to  go  before  him  its  prob- 
able he  might  have  gone  thro'  All  Arithmetick  in  the 
same  Time  in  which  he  did  this  —  He  had  perfectly 
learn 'd  The  Single  Rule  of  Fellowship  &  cou'd  do  a  Sum 
in  the  Double  He  was  exceedingly  Skill 'd  in  the  Power 
of  Numbers.  Understood  the  very  Nature  of  Fractions 
&  Something  of  Roots  &  Powers  cou'd  do  a  Sum  in  the 
Rule  of  Three  or  in  Fractions  by  his  Head  quicker  than 
I  or  others  &  their  Pens  &  all  this  in  about  two  Months 
In  Short  he  seem'd  to  be  a  Second  Archimedes  — 

He  was  of  a  Pleasant  Disposition  very  forward  to 
Learn  of  an  easy  Temper  neither  Elated  with  Prosperity 
nor  dejected  in  Adversity  —  Quiet  in  all  the  Dispensa- 
tions of  Providence  with  him  &  its  Remarkable  that  he 
was  never  once  heard  to  pine  or  fret  in  all  his  Confine- 
ment nor  in  his  most  excrutiating  Pains  —  Acted  accord- 
ing to  Reason  in  any  Affair  coud  discourse  upon  a  Topic 
he  understood  Like  a  Logician  And  After  all  it  was  his 
Saying,  (Where  Reason  Ends  Faith  begins)  In  Fine  he 
was  the  most  desirable  Companion  I  ever  had  —  But 
every  Thing  here  below  has  Vanity  written  upon  it.  Let 
us  acquiefce  in  the  most  Heavy  Strokes  of  Providence 
And  say  the  Will  of  the  Lord  be  done  — 

Some  Accounts  of  his  Illnefs. 

John  Gilman  Son  of  Nich0  Gilman  Minister  a  Durham 
was  born  May  10  1742  at  Durham  where  he  liv'd  till  he 
was  4  years  Old  from  whence  with  Mother  he  came  to 
Exeter ;  A  Large  hearty  Rugged  Child.  In  1746-7  I,  his 
Brother  Tristram  was  taken  Sick  &  my  Father  continued 
with  me  all  Winter,  in  which  Time  he  took  to  Reading 
rose  at  4  o 'Clock  every  Morning  All  Winter  —  In  the 
Spring  1747  My  Father  was  taken  Sick  and  I  got  well  he 
grew  weak  till  Summer  &  then  recovering  a  Little 
Strength,  he,  at  the  instigation  of  some  Durham  People 
rode  to  Durham  worried  himself  very  much  grew  worse 
&  so  continued,  till  Apr1  12,  1748  in  Which  he  departed 
this  Life  — 

From  Sorrows  Vale  (tis  hop'd)  he  wing'd  his  Way 

To  the  bright  Mansions  of  Eternal  Day 

Hark  how  his  Dust  now  preaches  from  his  Tomb 


52  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

My  Friends  prepare  with  Speed  to  meet  your  Doom 

For  first  or  last  you  all  must  hither  come 
J.  Gr.  was  taken  Sick  Anno  1747-8  With  a  Poor  Stomach, 
Slow  Fever,  Nocturnal  Sweats  &c.     In  the  Spring  1748 
I  went  to  One  Dr  Foster  of  Boxford  a  renowned  Phisi- 
cian  for  such  Ails,  his  Means  were  blef sed  to  his  Recov- 
ery—  Novr  1748  He  was  taken  Sick  with  the  Measles 
but  got  well  of  them  but  was  poorly  all  Winter  complain- 
ing of  a  Pain  in  his  foot  &  in  his  little  Finger  of  his  Right 
Hand,  His  Foot  swell 'd  &  was  lanc'd  as  likewise  his  Hand 
sometime  after,     he  was  poorly  all  summer  1749,  in  Au- 
gust he  took  to  taking  of  Tarwater  &  so  continued  tak- 
ing it  till  November  at  which  Time  he  was  seiz'd  with 
violent   Pains   in   his   Back,   Hips   &c.     He   lay   acrofs 
Mothers  Lap  all  Winter  by  Day  &  acrofs  her  Stomach  by 
Night,  till  March  1750  And  then  I  went  to  Dr  Sawyer  for 
him  whose  means  were  blest  in  some  Measure  this  Sum- 
mer so  as  that  he  was  able  to  lean  over  a  Little  Table 
partly  by  Day  &  lay  in  an  easy  Chair  a  Nights  &  so  con- 
tinued till  in  the  Spring  1751  &  then  he  grew  considerable 
Better  so  as  to  bear  to  Ride  he  Rode  over  to  Hampton 
Beach  &  was  duek'd,  bore  it  very  well  got  better  &  so  con- 
tinued all  Winter  till  the  Spring  1752  &  was  very  well  at 
his  Stomach  only  he  coundn't  stretch  out  his  Limbs  All 
his  Illnefs  seem'd  to  be  settled  there,  we  carried  him  out 
To  the  Neighbours  when  it  was  warm  to  try  to  bring  out 
his  Limbs,  But  he  got  cold  &  seem'd  to  be  poorly  on't 
Mother  drew  him  A  Blister  On  Friday  May  22  Which 
pain'd  him  very  much  so  that  he  went  to  Bed  without 
Supper  &  had  a  poor  Night.     Saturday  May  23  com- 
plain* of  a  Pain  in  his  Eyes  so  as  that  he  coudn't  bear 
the  Light  but  desir'd  me  to  afsist  him  in  making  a  Fly 
Trap  of  Pointed  Sticks. 
0  24  Worse  considerable 
M.25  Drowsy  all  Day,  The  Pain  in  his  Eyes  so  bad  that 

he  coudn't  bear  the  Light  at  all,  I  went  to  Dr  Sawyer 

of  Newbury. 
Tues.  26  In  the  Morning  he  was  tho't  to  be  a  dying,  sent 

to  Dr  Hate  Having  Numb  Fits  extreme  Head-Ach 

Yellownefs  of  Eyes  &c. 
Wedy  27  His  Head-Ach  continued  growing  worse.     His 

Tongue  numb  at  Times 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  53 

Thur.  28  Exceeding  bad  at  Times 
Fri.  29  Very  bad  by  Fits 
Saty  30  A  little  Better 

Gday.  31  Considerable  Better  talk'd  all  Day  well,  said  he 
never  Tho  't  himself  so  dangerous  as  others  tho  't  him 
to  be  particularly  my  Mother  he  said  he  believ'd  She 
was  Frighted  about  him — seem'd  himself  again  — 
Towards  Night  he  grew  worse  again.  Extreme 
Head-Ach,  Delirious,  &  Then  Strugling  Fits  which 
held  him  all  Night  till  2  o  'Clock  when  One  went  Off 
he  dropt  into  a  Sog  for  a  Quarter  of  an  hour  &  then 
awoke  in  another,  every  One  tho't  to  be  his  Last 
till  2  o  'Clock  &  then  he  got  to  Sleep 
Monday.  Jun.  1.  Something  Better  in  the  Forenoon  his 
Fits  came  on  again  at  Night.  Tuesday.  2.  All  One 
Wednesday  3.  Sensible  in  the  Morning  the  Dr  was  per- 
swaded  he  was  better  said  he  had  no  doubt  of  his 
getting  well — he  lay  in  a  Sog  all  Day  almost  —  his 
Fits  came  on  as  bad  as  ever  at  Night. 
Thursday.  4.     He  was  in  so  bad  a  Fit  that  the  Dr  Himself 

tho 't  he  was  dying. 
Friday  5    All  One,  his  Fits  coming  On  at  Night.     Saty. 

6    All  One 
Gday.  7.    Lay  Calm  &  compos 'd.  exceeding  Weak,  sen- 
sible at  Times  kept  his  Lips  going,  his  Eyes  turn'd 
up  &  Sighs  now  &  then 

Had  no  Fits  — 
Lay  looking  about  in  the  Evening  On  every  Object  as  if 
taking  his  Farewell  of  all  Things  here  below  exceeding 
weak  &  unable  to  speak  but  I  believe  sensible  not  inclin- 
ing to  Sleep  till  12  o 'Clock  &  then  began  to  groan  &  so 
continued  till  3  o 'Clock  &  then  was  freed  from  the  Pain 
of  the  Flesh  And,  as  is  hop'd  slept  in  Jesus. 
June  8.  1752.    It  was  4%  Years  from  his  First  being 
taken  Sick.     3y2  Years  since  he  had  the  Measles.  &  17 
Days  from  his  Last  Sudden  Turn  — 
A  Heavy  Stroke  of  Gods  Providence  upon  this  Family 
being  the  most  pleasant  Branch  in  it — Let  us  return 
unto  the  Lord  who  tho'  he  hath  torn  yet  will  he  heal  us 
Tho'  he  hath  Smitten  yet  will  he  bind  us  up. 


54  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

36 

Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  became  a  widow  at  thirty-five 
and  returned  to  Exeter  to  live.  Her  husband  left  £3,237 
and  her  father,  Baktholomew  Thing,  was  a  wealthy  man, 
leaving  £6,999.  But  there  was  no  possibility  of  ease  in 
those  days  and  no  place  to  invest  money,  so  that  Mrs. 
Gilman  seems  to  us  to  have  led  as  hard  a  life  as  her  poorer 
neighbors.  Her  mother  had  married  for  the  third  time, 
Col.  John  Downing.     They,  too,  were  living  in  Exeter. 

We  now  begin  a  series  of  letters  from  Mrs.  Gilman 's 
three  sons:  Tristram,  eighteen  years  old  and  a  fresh- 
man at  Harvard;  Joseph,  fifteen,  apprenticed  to  Samuel 
Phillips  Savage,  a  merchant  of  Boston  and  Josiah,  a  lad 
of  thirteen  and  still  at  home.  The  English  custom  of 
apprenticing  a  boy  for  a  term  of  years  evidently  was 
common  in  New  England  at  that  time.  The  bargain 
which  Mr.  Belknap,  later,  proposed  for  Joseph's  cousin, 
Dan11  Gilman,  was  that  he  would  find  him  ' '  Washin  Mend- 
ing &  making  his  Cloaths"  but  the  father  had  to  pay 
"£25.  Pr  year  old  tenor."  Joseph  seems  to  have  had  a 
less  advantageous  arrangement  as  he  was  dependent  on 
his  mother  for  clothes  and  pocket-money.  To  draw  the 
line  between  extravagance  and  parsimony  seems  to  have 
been  beyond  Mrs.  Gilman 's  powers  and  Joseph,  a  proud 
and  high-spirited  boy,  resented  the  interference  of  his 
relatives.  His  Boston  letters  cover  a  period  of  seven 
years. 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  July  17  1753 
Honored  Mother 

These  lines  are  to  let  you  know  that  I  Am  Well,  and  am 
very  well  contented  att  present,  whatt  I  have  seen  of 
Boston  I  like  very  well  As  well  as  the  place  I  live  att  I 
Like  very  well  as  I  have  not  been  here  long  So  I  do  not 
Know  so  much  about  it;  I  Should  be  Glad  to  hear  from 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  55 

home  I  am  not  att  all  Desireouf  of  Coming  home  which 
some  folks  told  Me  So  much  of. 

Send  the  watch  down  Also  to  be  Mended  For  the  longer 
You  let  it  lay  the  worse  it  Will  be  to  mend  and  also  I 
should  be  glad  You  Would  let  Josiah  Fulsome  have  Five 
pound  In  New  Hampe  Money  if  he  Desires  it.  Business 
is  very  dull  att  present  there  is  Nothing  new ;  only  there 
hath  Near  Eight  Thousand  Bushels  of  Corn  Came  in 
From  Virginia  in  ye  Space  of  Two  Days  Time  which  the 
Like  Scarce  ever  Was  known  I  Should  be  glad  also  you 
would  send  six  more  Shirts  and  Stockins  as  Soon  as  You 
Can. 
I  have  nothing  More  att  present  So  I  remain 

Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

Post  Scrip. 

This  being  the  First  Letter  ever  I  wrote  You  must  Allow 
for  the  poornefs  of  ye  Writing  as  well  as  for  the  lownefs 
of  ye  Stile.  Remember  me  to  all  that  Ask  for  me  And 
to  Tristram  &  Josiah.  If  you  Could  procure  a  Quantity 
of  Bees  wax  For  Mr  Savage  you  would  Oblige  him  very 
much  he  will  give  you  Ten  Shillings  a  pound  For  it  att 
Boston. 

37 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  and  Mrs. 
John  Downing,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

B  of  ton  August  14 
Ever  Honored  Mother  &  Grand  Mother 
Thefe  lines  are  to  let  you  know  that  I  was  in  Health 
when  I  wrote  them,  &  I  hope  they  will  Find  you  So.  I 
am  very  well  contented  att  Boston,  &  Like  my  place  very 
well,  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  &  I  should  be  glad 
You  would  send  me  Three  more  shirts  for  I  cannot  do 
with  one  Shirt  a  Week  If  you  make  any  new  ones  Make 
the  Sleeves  Wider  than  the  Others,  Send  me  Two  or  three 
more  pair  of  Stockings.  I  should  be  glad  you  would  get 
me  a  Jacket  made  Either  blue  or  Black  Broad  Cloth  let 
Stephen  Sweet  make  it  I  would  have  it  made  Long 
Wasted  the  Shirts  scarce  Deep  Enough  For  a  Pocket 
Let  the  Skirts  be  Cut  like  my  Duroy  only  more  rounding. 


56  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

I  would  not  have  it  made  without  Shapes  let  the  pocket 
Flap  be  quite  a  good  Deal  larger  than  my  Duroy  let  the 
button  holes  be  pretty  long  &  the  pocket  Flap  to  button 
I  should  be  glad  of  a  Hanfome  pair  of  Black  Breeches 
pretty  short  att  the  knees  &  to  run  with  Strings  let  the 
knee  band  be  very  narrow  &  a  Flap  over  the  buttons  like 
my  Leather  Ones  I  do  not  desire  you  to  fend  my  home 
fpun  Cloth  coulerd  Jacket  if  you  do  I  shall  not  wear  it, 
if  Triftram  does  not  want  the  watch  I  wifh  you  would 
send  it  down  by  Truey.  Fillbrick  or  the  first  Opportunity 
you  have,  I  do  not  know  how  the  Day  paf  seth  away  there 
is  no  Clock  Near  me     I  do  not  want  it  for  the  Ornement 
of  it  but  to  know  how  Time  paf  seth  away    I  would  by  all 
means  have  you  Send  it  Down,  I  have  one  of  the  Four 
things  which  is  Grevious  to  the  Eye  sigh,  Viz  an  Empty 
Purse,  if  any  Body  would  remove  this  grevious  Thing  I 
would  Humbly  thank  them.     We  have  nothing  new  only 
ye  Weaver  and  Spiners  you  have  the  account  in  the  News 
paper  &  the  Arrival  of  his  Excellency  William  Shirley 
Commander  in  Chief  over  His  Majesties  Province  of  the 
Mafsechusets  Bay,  Mr  S.  Savage  Has  loft  A  Child  the 
yongest  since  my  last  letter    Aged  9  Mths. 
Hond  Grand  Mother 

I  should  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  in  Particular  I  wrote 
to  you  by  Ward  Dean  it  was  my  Forgetf ulnefs  In  not  re- 
membring  you  in  my  Firft  Letter  remember  me  to  Tris- 
tram &  Josiah  &  to  all  that  afk  for  me  Pidgions  were 
Sold  for  18/  pr  Doz  a  Week  ago  &  now  are  sold  for  /18d  pr 
Doz  one  Man  Caught  300  Doz  this  Season  they  are  Very 
Fat  &  good  att  present,  I  remain  your  Dutiful  &  Loving 

Son  &  Grand  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

38 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  Septemr.  7th,  53. 
Honod  Mother 

Having  thif  Opportunity  Although  it  be  Short,  I  write 
to  you  Mr  Coker  is  Just  a  going  to  Sail,  I  did  not  know 
that  he  was  here  till  between  6  &  7  of  the  Clock  I  should 
be  glad  you  would  Send  me  the  following  things  Viz 
Some  more  Shirts  for  I  cannot  do  with  one  a  week  except 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  57 

I  have  Checkered  ones  if  you  make  me  fome  make  ye 
Sleeves  wider  than  thefe  I  have,  I  cannot  pof  sibly  do  with 
what  Stockings  I  have.  Send  me  my  thick  Cloaths  the 
first  opportunity  I  have  not  Time  to  get  a  pair  of  Shapes 
nor  buttons  for  my  Cloaths  I  Should  be  glad  you  would 
Send  me  Some  money  &  Shoes  a  pair  or  two.  Nothing 
new  only  y*  man  was  tried  for  making  Dollers  his  Sen- 
tence is  to  Stand  on  the  Pillery  I  hour  &  To  be  whipt 
twenty  lashis  So  I  remain  your  Dutiful  Son 

Joseph  Gilman. 
P.  S.    I  am  in  good  Health,  have  a  better  Somach  to  my 
Victuals  than  I  had.     Remember  me  to  my  Grand  Mother 
and  Josiah  &  all  that  ask  for  me. 

39 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  and  Mrs. 
John  Downing,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Honored  Mother 

Received  Yours  P.  Uncle  &  Mr  Coker  am  glad  you  are 
well  &  have  sent  my  Jacket  &  some  other  things  you  Con- 
clude my  wants  are  well  supplied  my  Letter  Pr  Mr  Newell 
tells  you  to  the  Contrary  it  is  so  cold  I  can  hardly  write 
I  want  seven  good  Shirts  bag  Holland  Sleeves  and  half  a 
doz  pr  of  Stockings  send  me  som  money  &  I  can  Change 
it  for  you  if  you  please  to  give  me  som  I  could  buy 
things  some  times  at  a  quarter  price  send  me  a  pr  of  glaze 
gloves  or  deer  skin  I  cannot  pof  sibly  do  without  my  hat 
mine  is  breaking  all  away  please  to  send  it  as  soon  as  you 
pofsibly  can  am  In  Health  this  in  hast  so  I  remain 

Yours  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

Honoured  Grand  Mother 

Received  Yours  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  from  you.  I 
wrote  a  Letter  for  you  &  1  for  my  Mother  &  1  for  my 
Brother  Josiah  &  seald  them  all  in  one  &  cannot  find 
where  I  have  Laid  them  you  write  me  word  you  are 
afraid  the  watch  will  do  me  more  hurt  than  good.  I  hope 
it  will  not  am  so  Cold  I  cannot  write  so  I  remain  Your 
Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

Dear  Brother 

Wrote  a  Letter  for  you  and  can  not  find  it  am  glad  to 


58  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

hear  you  are  well  Remember  &  mind  your  book.  So  I 
remain  Your  Loving  Brother  Joseph  Gilman. 

P.  S.  by  a  Letter  from  my  Brother  today  he  wants  the 
following  things  Viz  some  good  Yarn  Stockings  &  his 
Shoes  as  soon  as  pofsible  some  Course  towels  &  Where- 
with to  mend  his  stockings  a  good  Neck  Hankerchief 
send  my  Handkerchief  also  &  What  Ever  you  send  him 
mark  with  his  Letters    is  in  Health. 

40 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  John  Downing,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  Sepm  27th  1753. 
Honored  Grand  Mother 

I  wrote  to  you  by  my  Mother  I  am  sorry  to  hear  of 
the  Accident  which  happen 'd  on  Sunday  morning  it  is  not 
good  to  reflext  on  Second  Caufes  I  saw  my  brother  Tris- 
tram Yesterday  his  things  are  Carried  to  Cambridge,  he 
hath  wrote  to  you  at  Exeter  Madam  I  think  if  you  would 
Send  ye  watch  it  would  be  the  greatest  kindnef s  you  could 
do  me  it  is  a  Common  Saying  to  love  for  y*  loavs  but  I 
hope  it  is  not  fo  now  if  you  will  not  send  it  I  should  be 
glad  to  have  a  Letter  from  you  no  news  at  present  Re- 
member me  to  Every  body  that  asks  for  me  I  am  in 
health 

So  I  remain  Your  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

41 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  Novemr  2th  1753. 
Honoured  Mother 

Received  yours  Pr  post  am  glad  you  have  sent  my  Hat 
you  write  me  the  Affair  about  William  More  which  I  am 
Sorry  to  hear  of  there  hath  a  great  many  Accidents  hap- 
pend  here  within  ab1  a  Week  2  Men  drowned,  1  Child 
scalt,  1  Man  Stabbed  with  a  knife  in  the  manner  follow- 
ing a  difpute  arose  about  a  pr  of  Buckels  the  two  men 
went  on  forthill  To  End  the  controversy  by  boxing  one 
threw  the  other  down  and  as  he  was  beating  of  him  the 
other  drew  a  knife  out  of  his  pocket  &  run  it  in  to  the 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  59 

others  Belly  who  died  within  four  and  twenty  hours  the 
other  is  in  Goal  &  since  he  hath  been  there  endeavered 
To  hang  him  self  by  taking  of  his  shirt,  I  woul'd  not 
have  you  Take  so  much  pains  to  go  about  Town  for  me 
am  In  hast  Remember  me  to  Every  body  I  remain 
Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Oilman. 

42 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  November  20th  1753. 
Honoured  Mother 

Received  yours  pr  cousin  E.  Little  17th  I  should  be 
glad  to  know  about  a  Hat  if  you  could  Write  me  word, 
the  Watch  is  mended  it  Cost  but  3£  10  Without  a  String 
the  String  cost  12/  old  Tenor.  I  cannot  now  stay  to  dis- 
folve  the  difficulties  about  my  buying  som  things  To  send 
Home  my  Brother  Tristram  is  well  Remember  me  To 
Grand  Mother  Brother  Josiah     So  I  remain 

Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

43 

Early  communication  from  Exeter  to  the  outside  world 
was  through  Portsmouth  by  boat.  The  Squamscot,  as 
Exeter  river  was  then  called,  on  which  Exeter  was  sit- 
uated, was  navigable  for  vessels  of  500  tons  and  these 
letters  were  usually  carried  by  the  captains,  as  Joseph 
often  mentions.  This  is  the  first  one  to  go  by  mail. 
Greenland  is  a  village  about  eight  miles  from  Exeter  on 
Great  Bay,  which  opens  into  the  Piscataqua. 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  Novembr  20th  1753. 
Honoured  Mother 

Received  yours  pr  Mr  Newel  and  accordingly  do  agree 
with  you  that  I  will  Drefs  neat  and  Clean  but  not  fine 
wrote  a  Letter  for  you  pr  Uncle  Daniel  but  cannot  tell 
whether  I  gave  it  him  or  no  this  is  to  ask  you  whether  or 
no  I  may  get  a  Hat  here  or  at  home  I  was  more  difap- 


60  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

pointed  in  not  having  it  than  In  any  other  thing  this  I 
have  is  so  prodigiously  that  it  is  impof sible  for  it  to  Last 
above  a  Week  it  is  broke  so  behind  that  there  is  a  Hole 
you  may  put  your  two  fingers  in  in  my  next  I  can  disfolve 
all  those  difficultys  about  trading  you  write  you  are 
blamed  by  some  for  giving  me  too  good  Cloaths  I  desire 
Nothing  but  neatnefs  I  do  not  care  whether  my  Shirts 
are  bag  Holland  or  no  if  they  will  wash  white,  nor  do  I 
care  how  few  Shirts  I  have  so  I  can  have  a  Clean  one 
when  I  want  it  the  price  of  a  right  good  Hat  here  is  11£ 
this  money  I  will  send  you  by  the  first  opportunity  what 
you  wrot  for  I  did  not  take  the  Wafers  from  Mr  Savage 
which  I  sent  you  I  beg'd  them  of  Mr  Tyler  and  could  have 
had  three  Times  as  many  only  these  was  all  they  had  out 
of  the  desk  Remember  me  to  Every  body  my  Brother 
wants  some  Stockings  &  Shoes  very  much  send  them  the 
first  opportunity     So  I  remain      Your  Dutifull  Son 

Joseph  Gilman. 
poft  paid  To  Mrs  Mary  Gilman 

Att  Exeter 
to  be  left  at  Mr  Clarks    greenland 

44 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  Jany  7th,  53 
Honoured  Mother  — 

I  have  not  wrote  to  you  Since  P  my  Brother    I  am  In 

Health. 

and  very  well  Contented  with  my  condition,  as  I  was 
Looking  over  one  of  your  Letters  you  wrote  you  were 
Blamed  by  some  for  being  so  kind  as  to  fulfill  my  Re- 
quest thus  far  &  considering  of  it  I  think  they  are  to  be 
excused  because  they  are  Ignorant  of  my  circumstances 
thus  I  Let  you  know  that  I  was  better  Cloathecl  when  I 
was  at  home  In  proportion  than  I  am  now  becaufe  that  I 
was  not  In  the  Company  I  now  am  In  If  you  Lived  In 
Bofton  I  should  not  go  so  as  I  now  do,  If  it  would  be  of 
any  Service  I  would  send  home  one  of  my  Shirts  that  I 
have  wore  a  week  and  tried  to  keep  Clean  as  far  as  it  Lay 
in  my  power;  Pride  is  not  the  occasion  of  my  writing 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  61 

thus  for  I  seriously  declare  I  never  took  Lefs  pains  to 
drefs  than  I  now  do,  I  am  forced  to  go  with  holes  In  my 
Stockings  very  often  &  I  am  told  of  them  sometimes  by 
mr  Savage  himfelf     now  Madam  I  Leave  it  to  yourself  to 
Judge  whether  or  not  this  ought  to  be,  the  occasion  of 
my  writing  this  is  not  becaufe  I  think  you  do  not  take 
pains  Enough  for  me,  but  that  others  may  not  say  I  am 
Extravagant  the  following  things  I  want  very  much  Viz. 
1/2  doz  Pr  of  Good  Worsted  stockings    Mr  Savage  hath 
some  very  good  Hofe  at  50/    He  told  me  to  write  you 
that  you  may  have  500£  worth  of  Goods  &  pay  in  Hampe 
Money  At  the  rate  of  three  £  10/  a  Dollar    I  should  be 
glad  if  Mr  Wentworth  hath  any  good  Black  Plush  you 
wo  'd  get  me  Enough  for  a  pr  of  Breeches  Instead  of  Serge 
if  you  cannot  get  it  get  Serge  my  Last  Black  Breeches 
were  made  so  poorly  I  am  out  of  Conceit  of  your  Taylors 
I  also  want  7  good  Shirts  if  you  can  afford  them  if  you 
cannot  aford  good  Holland  Shirts  make  me  some  Checkt 
ones  such  af  you  can  afford  it  ought  to  be  considered  my 
Bufinefs  is  very  different  from  a  rope  maker  if  I  had 
Lived  with  one  of  that  trade  I  sho  'd  expect  to  go  accord- 
ingly for  Drefs  &  if  you  can  Light  of  a  good  ps  of  very 
Light  Fustian  I  shall  want  a  sumer  Coat.    I  can't  at 
present  remember  all  things  I  want    Remember  me  to 
Every  Body    I  have  no  time  to  write  now  So  I  remain 
Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

45 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  John  Downing,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton    Jay  8th  1753-4 
Hod  Grand  Mother 

I  am  glad  to  hear  you  are  wel  as  I  also  am  I  am  very 
wel  Contented  with  my  Condition  of  Life.  Contentment 
is  a  good  thing  I  never  was  better  Contented  In  my  Life 
than  I  now  am  I  shoul'd  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  partic- 
ularly nay  I  would  not  have  you  think  I  have  forgot  you 
for  I  have  not  in  the  Least  It  is  Likely  if  I  live  I  may  see 
Exeter  Next  Commencement  you  were  difappointed  as 
you  hoped  you  might  be  In  thinking  I  Should  not  Stay  In 
Bofton  above  a  Month  or  two  but  I  think  it  seems  to  me 


62  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

as  natural  as  home,  I  believe  I  could  not  have  don  better 
than  I  did  in  coming  here  it  so  altered  me  that  I  am  scarce 
the  same  person  I  was  at  home  I  Like  to  have  forgot  to 
Let  you  know  I  make  Sieves.  It  is  Easy  work  &  I  like  it 
very  well,  I  think  I  can  never  Satisfy  you  for  ye  kind- 
nefs  you  always  treated  me  with  nothing  New  My 
Duty  to  the  Colonel  so  I  remain  Your 

Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

46 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Honoured  Mother 

I  received  Yours  P  Wm  Doran  I  am  glad  to  hear  you 
are  well  Am  Sorry  to  hear  my  Grand  Mothers  Death.  I 
have  my  Coat  made  very  well  to  pleafe  me.  the  making 
was  as  follows  — 

Viz  —  Making  — 
being  persuaded  by  my  Brother  to  send  the  other  So  I 
Remain  Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

47 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  March  4th  1754 
Honoured  Mother  I  received  yours  P  Wm  Doran  which 
brings  the  Meloncholly  News  of  the  Death  of  one  who  I 
am  insensible  of  the  Lofs  of  in  a  great  Measure,  I  re- 
member I  have  read  it,  tho'  I  forgot  ye  Auther  that  we 
are  never  sensible  or  at  Least  so  sensible  of  the  need  of 
our  Friends,  as  when  we  have  loft  them  my  Grand  Mother 
was  to  me  nearer  than  Common  Mother,  but  I  cannot  say 
nearer  than  my  Mother  I  remember  my  Grand  Mother 
Often  told  me  I  had  a  very  Affectionate  Loving  Mother, 
which  I  believe  I  never  was  sensible  of  as  I  now  am  —  I 
now  acquaint  you  that  I  have  a  very  good  Mafter  Viz 
one  who  fears  the  Lord,  I  beg  you  would  have  patients 
to  hear  me,  God  saith  that  ye  Children  of  the  Righteous 
upon  the  account  of  their  parent  have  no  more  cause  to 
hope  for  being  Saved  on  that  account  than  the  Children 
of   ye   Wicked   but    God   reward   the    Children   of   the 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  63 

Righteous  often  times  on  account  of  their  Parents  tho' 
not  Eternal  Salvation  yet  with  thee  good  things  of  this 
Life.  — 

I  have  my  Coat  made  to  my  Liking  I  wish  my  Jacket 
Cloth  had  been  sent  me  before  it  was  made  up.  there  is 
now  left  of  my  Coat  y2  yard  if  You  Could  send  me  Half 
yard  more  it  will  make  me  a  good  Pr  of  Breeches  my 
Breeches  you  sent  me  were  poorly  made  my  Black 
Jacket  I  fhall  never  more  wear  except  it  can  be  altered, 
my  Coat  Cost  for  making  as  follows  Viz. 

£ 

making  4„  17„  6 

Buttons  2„  18„  9 

Silk  &  Tape—  0„  12„  6 

Velvet  for  Cape.  1„    0„  0 


Old  Tenor  £8„  18„  9 
the  Silk  you  sent  me  would  not  do.  the  Black  Stuff  was 
not  so  good  as  some  Shalloon  @  16/  Mr  Savage  had  so  I 
got  some  for  the  Lineing  Sy2  yards  £.2.16.0.  the  Black 
Stuff  will  not  sell  for  so  much  here  as  att  Exeter  I  should 
be  glad  if  you  would  send  me  Down  some  Leather  for  a 
pr  of  Shoes  good  Calf  Skin  —  Sole  Leather  Let  them  be 

Cut  as  the  paper  Directs 

Please  to  make  me  Some  good  Shirts  good  Bag  Holland 
Sleeves  Haff  a  Dozen  for  my  Best  Holliday  Shirts  every 
Body  tells  me  I  do  not  good  decent  or  rather  my 
Cloathes  are  not  fit  to  wear  there  is  a  great  Difference 
between  Staying  at  home  Driving  Plough  making  fence 
&  the  Like  than  going  Into  Ware  Houfes  among  the  Best 
Company  to  the  Town  Houfe  &  Speak  to  a  Gentleman  or 
going  to  a  Lonnon  Gentleman  to  buy  a  Bill  of  Exchange 
as  I  am  forced  to  do  What  I  desire  by  this  is  I  may  be 
fit  to  be  seen  in  the  Company  I  am  frequently  among  .  .  . 
if  Madam  you  did  but  know  the  right  of  the  Case  you 
would  not  so  much  Laugh  at  my  Writing  so  but  to  Con- 
clude I  fhould  be  glad  you  would  get  me  some  Fuftian 
for  a  Coat  Remember  me  to  all  Friend  my  Love  to  my 
Brothers  —  So  I  remain  Your  Dutifull  Son 

Joseph  Gilman. 


64  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

48 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Honour 'd  Mother 

I  received  yours  P  Dudley  James  &  Mr  Savage  being 
Sick  I  cannot  ask  him  abl  the  Shalloon,  but  I  will  let  you 
know  P  the  first  Opportunity  Mr  Savage  has  been  Sick  3 
Weeks  with  A  Slow  fever  but  is  something  better  the 
Chief  purport  of  this  Letter  is  to  let  you  know  that  Mr 
Belknap  Will  Take  Dan11  Gilman  On  this  Lay  Viz  Uncle 
Must  give  him  25£  Pr  year  old  tenor  this  Province  Money. 
Otherwise  find  him  Washin  Mending  &  making  his 
Cloath's  he  Would  be  very  Glad  Dan11  Would  Come  Down 
as  soon  as  pofsible  Mr  Belknap  is  a  very  good  Mafter  & 
his  Wife  is  a  Clever  Woman  —  I  woul'd  be  glad  you 
woul'd  send  Dan11  Down  lest  he  shou'd  loofe  his  birth  — 
Nothing  New  So  I  remain  your  Dutifull  son 

Joseph  Gilman. 

49 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  May  13th  1754 
Honoured  Mother 

I  received  Yours  of  the  1st  Instant  by  which  You  In- 
form me  Your  Received  mine  without  Date.  I  cannot 
Get  any  Brown  Taffety  for  Cousin  Ruth  pray  Uncle  Gil- 
man to  Send  down  Da11  Gilman  as  quick  as  pofsible  Mr 
Belknap  will  take  him  On  these  Terms  25£  Old  Tenor  Sil- 
ver Money  Mr  Savage  will  take  Curr[ent]  money  of  New 
Hampe.  I.  d.1  any  money  tha[t]  pafs  in  Exeter  &  will  take 
it  Pr  order  not  [torn] 

I  want  Some  Stockings  very  much  Mr  Savage  has  some 
Neat  fine  Cotton  Hose  45/  Pr.  I  should  be  glad  of  a  pr  of 
them.    Nothing  New. 

Remember  me  to  all  Friends  —  this  is  in  the  utmost 
Hast,  from  Your  Loving  Son  Joseph  Gilman 

i  Intended  for  i.  e.  ? 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  65 

50 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  May  16th,  1754 
Ever  Honoured  Mother, 

I  Received  Your  Letter  By  way  of  Newbury  I  received 
the  10  £  in  paper  P  John  Dean,  am  Now  in  Health 
Wrote  P  Last  Post  Concerning  Dan11  Gilman  who  must 
Come  Down  with  all  pofsible  Speed  or  Else  send  Word  if 
He  will  not  Come.  Mr  Belknap  will  have  25£  P  Annum 
Old  Tenor  this  Province  Money  Viz.  Silver  or  Gold  I  can- 
not Procure  any  Taffety  or  Patch  for  Hampe  Currency 
or  Current  Money  In  the  Province  of  New  Hampe  we 
have  no  Thread  higher  than  N°  30  which  is  19/  An  Oz. 
Silver  Mony  I  sent  you  P  James  the  Thread  you  first 
Wrote  for  &  now  I  must  Begin  my  first  Memorandem 
Viz  Some  Fustian  for  a  Coat    Let  it  be  a  very  good 

piece 

As  many  pr  of  Shoes  as  you  &  my  Brother  thinks 
proper  to  be  made  Like  my  pumps  I  had  when  I  first 
came  made  Pr  Stacy 
i/2  yd  of  Searge  to  match  my  Coat  to  add  y2  a  yd  I 

have  here  for  a  pr  of  Breeches 

If  you  please  to  Let  me  have  a  pr  of  knit  breeches  of 
Mr  Savage  who  has  Some  very  Neat  ones  for  5  £ 

Silver — 

I  want  f  ome  Stockings  Very  much • 

Mr  Savage  has  some  very  good  Cotton  Hose  for  a 

Dollar  a  pr  — 

NB  the  above  are  to  be  sent  pr  my  Brother  — I  cannot 
Come  Home  before  Commencement  All  At  Present  — 
Remember  me  to  all  friends  fo  I  remain  Your  Loving 
Son  Joseph  Gilman 

51 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  June  10th  1754 
Honour 'd  Mother 

I  received  my  Shirt  &  Coat  P  my  Broth  &  am  Glad  to 
hear  you  are  Well    If  you  would  Send  me  some  Brown 


66  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Good  Fustian  for  a  Coat  I  should  be  glad  I  have  scarce 
time  to  Write  any  thing  But  my  feet  Sweat  so  that  when 
I  have  Wore  a  Pr  of  Stocking  three  or  four  Days  they  are 
so  Stiff  that  I  can  Scarce  Wear  them  It  would  be  much 
Cheaper  to  have  ten  or  a  Dozen  Pr  Since  they  are  never 
out  of  Fashion  —  I  do  not  Care  what  I  wear  so  they  are 
but  Comfortable  &  decent  I  want  many  things  but  for- 
bear to  Mention  any  more  since  you  think  I  am  too  Ex- 
travagant—  I  cannot  poffibly  Come  home  before  Com- 
mencement my  Love  to  my  Brother  Josiah  &  Should  be 
glad  to  Satiffy  him  but  hope  to  see  him  Shortly  So  I  re- 
main Your  Loving  Son  &c  Joseph  Gilman 

P.  S.  my  Brother  Tristram  is  always  In  such  a  Hurry 
he  will  not  Let  me  think  How  to  Write 

52 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  July  2d,  1754. 
Honoured  Mother 

I  received  the  Shoes  P  Cousin  Little  &  am  glad  to  hear 
that  you  &  all  the  Rest  of  the  Family  are  well,  my 
Brother  Set  out  from  Cambridge  yesterday  at  5  minutes 
after  Six  for  Boston  &  got  Down  In  Twenty  Minutes,1  but 
had  not  time  to  write  &  desired  me  to  write  for  a  pr  of 
Good  pumps  to  be  made  Handsome  &  well  &  also  would 
be  glad  you  would  bring  down  (when  you  Come  to  Com- 
mencement) twenty  Dollars,  he  sais  that  he  has  Great 
need  of  them. 

I  have  wholly  thrown  by  all  hopes  of  having  any  more 
Shoes  made  at  Home  Except  they  make  them  better  I 
scarce  Ever  saw  a  Worse  pr  of  Shoes  than  the  Last  you 
sent  me  nay  I  am  persuaded  that  the  Shoemaker  that 
Cobled  them  up  could  not  make  a  Worse  pr.  I  desired 
that  he  would  make  ym  Broad  toes  Instead  of  which  he 
made  them  so  Narrow  I  can  hardly  get  them  on.  I  would 
not  wear  them  if  I  was  not  forced  to 

I  am  Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

i  There  seems  to  have  been  but  one  road  between  Cambridge  and  Boston 
at  this  time;  that  leading  to  Charlestown.  There  was  a  ferry  running  from 
Charlestown  to  Ferry  Way  in  Boston.  Tristram  was  on  horseback,  as  stages 
were  not  in  use  until  after  the  Revolution. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  67 

53 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  July  30th,  1754. 
Honoured  Mother 

I  put  on  board  Mr  James  2  Doz  Course  &  half  a  Doz 
Fine  Sieves  &  I  forgot  to  put  the  Note  &  Letter  On  board 
You  have  the  Note  Inclosed  which  money  is  to  be  paid 
when  the  Sieves  are  fold  the  Note  is  in  Old  Tenor  this 
province  money  I  think  it  is  not  best  to  make  my  Jacket 
&  Breeches  before  I  Come  home  for  this  reason  Viz  —  I 
do  not  think  Mr  Lord  Can  make  yra  to  fit  &  Suit  me  Un- 
less I  am  there  myfelf  &  if  they  do  nott  Suit  me  at  First 
they  will  not  Last  me  half  So  long  a  Time  I  could  n.ot 
get  the  Wigg  for  Josiah  time  Enough  to  put  on  board 
Cap  James ;  but  will  send  it  p  the  first  Opportunity  As 
soon  as  you  well  Can  get  some  Checqd  Linnen  for  me  four 
Shirts  make  the  Chollars  a  great  Deal  wider  than  my 
White  Ones  are  &  when  you  fend  them  please  to  fend  ym 
all  together    these  are  in  the  Utmost  hast. 

I  remain  Your  Dutifull  Son  J.  Gilman. 

54 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  August  15th  1754. 
Honoured  Mother 

I  received  yours  Pr  Sr  Foxcroft.  I  wrote  to  you  Pr  Mr 
James  &  put  the  Invoice  of  the  fieves  in  it  but  Carried 
them  On  board  In  the  Evening  &  Forgot  the  Letter  till  he 
was  [torn]  I  wrote  a  Letter  to  fend  Pr  True  Folsom 
but  he  Went  UnExpectedly  away  without  my  knoledge  of 
it.  I  ftand  In  Need  of  A  Couple  of  pocket  Handkerchiefs 
which  If  you  please  you  may  fend.  I  will  fend  a  Measure 
for  my  Jacket  &  Breeches  since  I  fhall  not  Come  home 
this  Year  wh  Will  fave  8  or  10£  Charge  I  will  not  for  the 
future  give  You  Cause  to  Complain  I  am  Extravagant  In 
Clothes  if  you  please  you  may  give  me  fome  money  to 
buy  fome  books  the  Book  I  now  want  is  the  New  Univer- 
fall  Magazine.  Which  is  a  very  Good  thing.  I  can  have 
ym  for  the  Sterling  Cost  In  London  at  5/  Pr  3  Vol.    £9.0.0 


68  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

the  Amounts  to  &  they  are  richly  Worth  it.  the  Reason 
I  want  ym  now  is  very  Likely  they  will  soon  be  Dearer  if 
I  do  not  go  home  this  year  the  Charge  will  be  faved  & 
much  better  fpent  with  a  Little  Addition  for  the  Maga- 
zine. 

Nothing  Remarkable  I  remain  Your  Dutifull  fon 

Joseph  Gilman. 

P.  S.  Do  Juft  As  you  &  my  brother  thinks  proper 
about  the  Magazine  Only  if  you  Can  Easily  fpare  the 
Money  I  fhould  be  gld.     If  not  I  am  Contented.    J.  G. 

55 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston,  August  26,  1754. 
Honoured  Mother 

You  have  Inclosed  mine  of  Severall  Dates  which  for 
want  of  Opportunity  I  could  not  Send  I  have  Altered  my 
Mind  Concerning  Comeing  home  because  Since  the  Last 
Date  I  have  been  very  poorly  as  to  health  (or  rather  not 
very  well).  I  believe  that  Riding  will  recruit  my  Droop- 
ing Spirits.  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  there  is  no  real 
happinefs  to  be  enjoyed  here  but  what  flows  from  Virtue 
&  a  good  Confcience  Conscious  of  having  done  our  Duty 
to  God  &  Man  In  our  severall  Relations  &  Stations,  I  am 
far  from  thinking  that  happinefs  Consisteth  In  Wealth 
Honour  or  Long  Life  (tho'  these  are  Good  things)  but  In 
Living  every  Day  or  Spending  every  Day  as  we  Ought  — 
The  more  Our  Joy  the  more  we  know  it  Vain  —  fays 
Young  in  his  Night  thoughts. 

I  hope  to  See  You  at  Exeter  this  Week  &  in  ye  Interim 
I  remain  (with  Due  Respects  to  all  Friends) 

Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

56 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Sepr  1754 
Honod  Mother 

I  received  yours  p  Mr  Perkins  Of  Wednefdy  Last  but 
was  so  ill  that  Day  I  received  it  I  coul  'd  not  answer  it    I 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  69 

Kept  my  Chamber  from  Thursday  about  4PM  till  11 
A  M  today 

I  am  (except  a  Little  weak)  better  than  I  was  before  I 
was  sick,  &  in  pretty  good  Health  Nothing  Remarkable, 
I  remain  Your  Dutifull  Son  &c  Joseph  Gilman. 

P.  S.  I  received  my  Brother  Tristrams  things  p  Coker 
Yesterday.     Remember  me  to  all  Friends  J.  G. 

57 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  4th  Novemr  1754 
Honoured  Mother 

I  improve  every  Opportunity  to  Let  you  hear  I  am  in 
Health :  I  hope  these  will  find  you  and  your  Family  so : 
I  cannot  yet  find  that  Cap1  James  has  arrived  I  fhou'd  be 
glad  you  wou'd  send  my  Shoes  P  the  first  Opportunity 
I  want  Them  very  much  these  I  have  on  are  wore  thro' 
the  Sole  so  I  must  get  them  half  Sol'd.  I  have  a  great 
mind  to  and  upon  Mature  Deliberation  have  thought  it  is 
in  fome  Measure  my  Duty  to  Learn  the  Mathematicks. 
Dr  Watts  in  his  Dedication  to  his  book  Call'd  The  First 
principles  of  Geography  &  Astronomy  that  with  som 
acquaintance  with  these  Sciences  it  were  impofsible  for 
him  to  raise  his  Ideas  of  God  the  Creator  to  fo  high  a 
pitch  Now  you  Cannot  Learn  well  Astronomy  &  Geog- 
raphy without  being  Acquainted  with  Geometry  Now  if 
I  were  pofsef 'd  of  a  Small  Quantity  Of  that  thing  call'd 
Money  I  could  get  all  this  or  part  of  this  Learning  at 
Master  Leaches  School  evenings  That  part  of  the  Math- 
ematicks Mr  Savage  propofed  to  teach  me  was  very  small 
and  confifted  more  in  Speculative  Than  In  practicall 
Geometry  befides  I  found  it  impofsible  to  Learn  even  that 
in  the  Shop  because  of  my  Continuall  Interruption  I 
have  applyed  my  Self  to  Mr  Leach  his  prize  for  Survey- 
ing is  16£  old  Tenor — Surveying  includes  all  Geometry 
Measureing  Superficies  &  Solids  heights  &  and  diftances 
both  accefsable  and  inaccef sable  8£  old  tenor  for  Gageing 
all  Sorts  of  Casks  these  two  I  fhall  Learn  [torn]  I  have 
begun  uppon  Surveying  pray  do  not  deny  [end  torn  off]. 


70  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

58 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Novr  15th  1754 
Honour 'd  Mother 

Since  I  wrote  rny  first  by  Cap"  I  received  Yours 
P  favour  of  Mr  Sutton,  dated  at  top  Novemr  4th  and  at  the 
bottom  The  9th,  by  which  you  inform  me  of  the  receipt  of 
mine  of  the  1st  Instant.  I  am  glad  To  hear  you  are 
well  —  you  write  you  are  afraid  I  do  not  improve  the  kind 
Opportunity  Providence  has  Indulged  me  with  hearing 
Mr  Whitefield  —  I  am  fure  you  have  not  any  reason  to 
think  f o  —  I  inform  you  That  I  rof e  at  4  In  the  morning 
to  hear  him  and  the  Morning  he  preached  his  farewel 
Sermon  I  rofe  at  half  after  twelve  at  Midnight  for  fear  of 
over  Sleeping  myfelf  and  before  4  In  the  morning  was 
Att  the  Old  South  and  waited  for  his  Coming  the  meeting 
was  exceeding  full  and  were  Singing  when  I  got  there  I 
mifsd  no  opportunity  to  hear  him  —  next  you  write  me 
you  are  willing  I  should  get  all  the  Learing  I  can  but 
must  remember  that  to  know  God  and  my  self  is  the  best 
knowlidge  I  know  it  is  but  the  knowlidge  of  the  Mathe- 
maticks  is  no  Impediment  to  the  knowlidge  of  God  but  a 
great  help  insomuch  that  Doctor  Watts  says  that  he  be- 
lieves it  were  impofsible  for  him  to  arrive  at  so  high  a 
Degree  of  knowlidge  of  the  perfections  of  the  Great  Cre- 
ator had  he  not  been  fkilled  in  the  Sciences  of  Geography 
and  Astronomy  — 

I  want  the  money  for  to  pay  for  my  Learing  and  fhall 
want  the  Other  Eight  pounds  very  soon. 

No  more  at  present  I  remain  your  Dutifull 

Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

59 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  2d  Decemr  1754 

Honoured  Mother 

I  am  now  to  Inform  you  I  am  In  good  Health  thro' 
Goodnefs  of  God.     I  am  now  to  porform  An  unwilling 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  71 

Task  which  I  cannot  avoid  Viz  to  write  for  money  & 
Other  Necefsary  things,  but  without  any  further  pream- 
ble I  fhall  Let  you  know  my  wants  &  then  muft  humbly 
pray  you  to  relieve  me.  — 

In  the  first  place  I  want  16£  Silver  money  Old  Tenor  to 
pay  Master  Leach  for  my  Learing  Surveying  8  of  which 
should  have  been  pd  at  my  Entrance  I  have  got  above 
half  way  through  have  gone  thro  'ugh  Trigonometry  And 
have  now  Came  to  apply  it  to  height  and  Diftances  Ac- 
cefsable  and  Inaccefsable  &  Shall  soon  Come  to  apply  it 
to  Meafureing  Land  —  I  plainly  see  I  could  never  under- 
f tood  Trigonometry  without  a  Maf ter.  — 

Secondly  I  want  two  or  three  pr  of  Stockings  blue  yarn 
Or  rather  Worfted  these  stockings  I  have  are  so  worn  I 
cannot  wear  them  above  two  or  three  days  before  the  feet 
are  full  of  holes.  — 

Thirdly  my  Shirts  3  or  4  of  them  are  so  worn  that  I 
muft  send  them  home  as  foon  as  you  send  down  my 
Checqd  ones.     .     .     . 

Fourthly  my  Neckclothes  are  worn  almof t  out  3  or  four 
of  them.  — 

(5thly)  my  Hat  I  wearing  away  very  Fast  &  I  muft  have 
Another  very  Soon  or  Shall  have  none  to  wear.  — 

(6)  Should  be  glad  you  would  get  me  a  pr  of  fhoes  made 
dd  Soles  shoes  not  pumps  ftrong  flat  bottoms  broad  Toa 
according  to  the  Directions  sent  Mr  Stacy. 

All  the  above  Mentioned  things  I  want  very  much  & 
muft  have. 

I  remain  Your  Dutif ull  f on  Joseph  Gilman. 

P  S  I  have  some  Profpect  In  a  fhort  time  of  getting 
Some  Money  for  my  Self  otherways  I  cannot  Live 

To 

Mrs  Mary  Gilman 

In 

Exeter. 

P  Capn  Coker 

Da  with  Difpatch. 


72  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

60 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter, 

N.  H. 

Bofton,  Decr  16th.  54 
Ever  Hond  Mother 

Its  now  going  on  Five  Weeks  since  I've  heard  from 
Home.  I  hope  you  are  all  in  Health  &  that  ye  have  re- 
ceived my  Letters.  Mr  Hancock  asking  me  fome  time 
ago  in  what  Manner  I  intended  to  go  Home  &  upon  my 
Replying  that  I  was  not  certain  whether  I  should  go 
Home  or  not,  advis'd  me  to  go  Home  because  he  said  it 
wou'd  cost  me  6  Pounds  P  Week  for  my  Board  &c.  Tho' 
I  am  not  of  his  Opinion  as  to  that  because  Parsons  can 
board  in  Town  &  will  this  Winter  For  five  Shillings  Ster- 
ling P  Week,  but  neverthelefs  as  I  shall  more  immedi- 
ately follow  those  Studies  next  Winter  which  I  had  de- 
sign'd  to  prosecute  this  at  I  think  I'll  defer  the  Tho'ts 
of  it  till  then.  I've  expected  daily  to  hear  whether  or  not 
I  was  to  provide  an  Horse  for  myself,  but  as  I  have  re- 
ceived no  Letter,  I  shall  try  for  an  Horse  to  go  Home  & 
write  whether  I  can  get  One.  Our  Vacancy  begins  on  the 
first  Day  of  January  before  which  Time  there  is  a  Neces- 
sity of  my  Having  fome  Money  50  Dollars  if  pofsible. 
Nothing  remarkable  except  that  Dr  Wigglesworth  has 
preach 'd  2  Sermons  against  Mr  Whitefield  which  are 
now  printed.  Give  my  Kind  Regards  to  all  Friends  — 
Love  to  Josiah  &c.  from  yr  Loving  Son  Tristram  Gilman. 

P  S  Pray  send  my  Money  as  f oon  as  pofsible  for  I  am 
out.     Monday  prodigious  cold. 

61 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  26th  Decemr  1754 
Honoured  Mother 

I  received  yours  P  Mr  Lord  together  with  The  Cloth 
for  my  great  Coat  to  be  made  here.  I  should  be  Exceed- 
ing glad  if  you  Cou'd  Let  Mr.  Josiah  Folsome  make  my 
Wigg  as  soon  as  he  can  I  want  One  for  Sundays  very 
much  this  I  have  will  ferve  for  every  day  a  great  While 
Tho'  it  is  not  fit  for  Sunday.     I  wou'd  not  have  you 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  73 

worry  yourself  in  Order  to  get  my  Cliecq  Shirts  or  my 
ftockings  but  send  them  as  soon  as  you  Can  Eafily.  Let 
my  fhoes  be  made  ftrong  &  be  lure  not  of  Grained 
Leather  I  desire  nothing  but  Just  to  go  Decently  I  Value 
my  Drefs  Lefs  &  my  mind  more  than  formerly,  I  am 
Contented  to  go  Ordinarily  Clad,  but  I  am  not  Contented 
with  Ordinary  Learning  After  I  have  Done  with  furvey- 
ing  which  in  a  fhort  Time  I  fhall  I  Defign  to  Enter  upon 
Gaugeing  Or  Menfuration  —  two  things  I  want  to  Learn 
very  much  are  Mufick  &  Drawing  with  India  Ink.  Both 
which  I  Leave  for  my  Brother  Triftram  to  Recommend 
to  you  If  I  had  a  Little  Money,  I  would  Improve  the 
Blefsed  Advantages  I  have  for  Learning — I  am  very 
willing  to  have  fo  much  Lefs  when  I  am  free  &  have  my 
Learning  than  have  more  &  not  have  my  Learning. 

Mr  Savage  will  give  10/  P  lb  for  Bee  Wax  &  will  not 
give  any  more  —  you  may  I  believe  get  11/  or  11/3  for  it. 
I  fend  by  my  Brother  my  Great  Coat  &  that  Checqa 
Handfe  I  can  pay  for  my  Hatt  Till  my  Brother  comes 
Down.    All  at  present  I  remain  your  Dutifull  fon  &c 

Joseph  Gilman. 

62 

In  1755,  Shirley  and  other  Royal  governors  inaug- 
urated a  scheme  for  the  conquest  of  the  French.  The 
aid  of  New  Hampshire  was  necessary  and  Col.  Robeet 
Hale  was  selected,  probably  because  of  his  close  associa- 
tion with  prominent  families  of  that  province,  to  lay  the 
matter  before  the  General  Court  at  Portsmouth.  These 
letters  to  Governor  Shirley  give  the  progress  of  his  nego- 
tiations. 

Col.  Robeet  Hale  to  Governor  Shirley.1 

Portsm0  March  14.  1755 
Sir 

The  Packet  from  yr  Excellency  was  dd  me  by  Cap*  Hud- 
son &  that  I  might  (finding  it  your  defire)  be  as  early  in 
my  businefs  as  pofsible  I  fet  out  on  Saturday  morning  & 
arrived  here  the  next  morning.     On  Monday  I  waited  on 

1  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


74  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Mr  Wentworth  at  his  Countrey  Seat,  who  Seem'd  unwill- 
ing I  Shou'd  have  any  Intercourfe  with  any  of  the  Court 
except  the  Secy  until!  there  was  a  Houfe  which  was  on 
Wednesday,  —  after  he  had  made  his  Speech  &  the  Court 
was  fworn  I  immediately  conf err  'd  privately  with  one  & 
another  of  Such  as  are  known  to  be  the  principal  Gentle- 
men &  partic.  with  him  of  Exeter.1  It  appears  to  me  very 
unfortunate  that  New  Hampshire  is  rated  so  high,  they 
esteem  themfelves  but  equal  in  Numbers  to  Rhode  Ifland. 
however  that  be,  by  an  ace1  taken  12  m°  ago  by  per- 
fons  under  Oath  they  had  only  7000  rateable  polls  —  As 
to  the  4  Regts  now  raifing,  they  Seem  perfwaded  that 
their  full  proportion  with  in  have  been  enlisted  in  their 
Province  &  they  are  not  very  forward  to  make  any  allow- 
ance for  what  we  did  last  year  —  I  am  Sorry  I  am  not 
able  to  say  with  certainty  how  many  we  are  now  obliged 
to  maintain  conftantly  in  Garrifon  at  the  Castle  &  the 
Forts.  I  Suppofe  them  to  be  upwards  of  three  hundred 
for  which  I  believe  they  will  be  willing  to  allow — 

I  rejoyce  to  hear  that  Rhode  Island  has  come  up  to  the 
Quota  afsigned  them  but  they  have  no  Embarafsment 
about  raifing  Money,  on  the  Contrary,  they  feem  always 
glad  of  an  Excufe  to  Strike  off  more  Bills,  here  nothing 
hinder 'd  their  calling  in  theirs  fome  time  ago  but  a  Dif- 
ficulty about  Settling  the  rate  at  which  they  were  to  be 
exchang'd.  they  are  so  frequently  &  of  late  so  very  great- 
ly counterfeited,  that  they  are  quite  weary  of  them,  &  the 
more  backward  to  Strike  off  any  more,  especially  as  these 
last  can't  be  a  tenour  as  the  prefent  Bills  are  &  which 
circumftance  they  are  very  fond  of  —  the  Gentlemen  ex- 
prefs  themfelves  under  Such  difficulties  on  these  two 
heads  as  to  render  the  Succefs  of  my  Negociation  doubt- 
ful even  tho  the  Grand  point  cou'd  be  served  &  all  other 
objections  removed  — 

Yr  Excellencies  Nomination  of  the  chief  Officer  is  much 
approved  —  I  hope  a  Ll  Col1  post  will  most  certainly  be 
ref erv  'd  for  Col  Titcomb  not  only  as  he  can  raif e  a  good 
many  brave  men  &  is  fuch  himfelf,  but  as  his  Mechanic 
Genius  will  prove  very  useful.  I  ask  nothing  better  for 
him  not  being  well  Satisfy 'd  myself  but  that  this  post 

i  Evidently  alluding  to  his  step-brother,  Col.  Peter  Gilman. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  75 

will  best  become  him.  The  Diverfion  by  ye  river  [faded 
ink]  is  not  well  relifhed,  as  it  apprehended  our  strength 
will  be  too  much  divided — 

[Unfinished  letter.] 

63 
Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Governor  Shirley.1 

Portsm0  March  15  1755. 

Sir 

I  have  yr  Excellency's  of  yesterday,  by  Exprefs  bro't 
me  to  Mr  Wentworth's  just  after  Dinner  with  him  &  the 
Secy  &cee  so  that  I  immediately  laid  before  them  the  in- 
closed papers,  which  may  be  of  use. 

My  last  to  yr  Ex.  was  yesterday  morning  by  ye  Post 
when  I  inform 'd  that  I  was  just  going  to  attend  the 
Comtee  of  both  houfes  —  they  confist  of  four  of  each 
Houfe  —  I  had  little  occafion  to  Say  much  about  the 
necefsity  of  the  Expedition  being  forestalled  by  the  pa- 
pers Sent  to  Gov.  Wentworth,  with  which  the  Secry  (one 
of  the  Comtee)  had  made  them  acquainted  —  only  I  had 
taken  Some  pains  with  Some  in  a  private  way  before  — 
the  Difficulty  was  about  the  Quota  &  want  of  money  as  in 
mv  iast — when  I  had  endeavoured  to  anfwer  all  the  ob- 
jections offered  in  ye  Comtee  on  thefe  two  heads,  &  Some 
others  lefs  interesting,  I  withdrew,  first  telling  them  I 
Shou'd  be  glad  to  know  their  report  before  it  was  given 
in. 

accordingly  in  the  afternoon  they  Sent  for  me  &  in- 
form'd  me  they  had  agreed  to  200  men  —  Your  Excel- 
lency can  better  imagine  than  I  exprefs  my  Situation  —  I 
Soon  found  it  to  be  the  fenfe  of  the  whole  Committee  — I 
renewed  all  my  former  arguments  and  in  as  different 
lights  as  I  cou'd,  &  added  others  which  (being  a  little 
warm)  then  occurred  to  me  they  heard  me  with  Candour 
&  attention  &  after  about  an  hour  &  half  I  took  my  leave, 
first  defiring  they  wou'd  take  till  the  morning  to  confider 
the  Consequences  of  Such  a  report  — this  morning  early 
Col.  Gilman  of  Exeter  (one  of  the  Comtee)  came  to  my 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


76  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

lodgings  as  I  had  defired  him  over  night,  we  began  upon 
it  again,  &  went  thro '  every  thing,  but  it  did  not  then  ap- 
pear to  make  any  great  impression  on  him  —  being  un- 
eafy  I  followed  him  to  the  Houfe,  call's  him  out  &  urg'd 
Some  things  which  had  escaped  me  in  the  former  Conver- 
fation  —  he  Seem'd  better  Satisfied  &  left  me  to  go  to  the 
Comtee  about  ten  o 'Clock  — 

about  one  Col.  Atkinfon  Sent  for  me  to  go  with  him  to 
dinner  with  the  Gov1-  —  On  the  road  down,  he  told  me  they 
had  but  just  finifhed  —  that  the  Comtee  had  agreed  to 
600  —  but  to  find  Subf if tance  only  till  they  arrived  at  the 
place  of  Eendevouze  intending  they  Shall  go  the  neareft 
way  thro'  the  woods.  I  ask'd  him  how  in  that  Case  they 
wou'd  do  for  Shelter  &  night  by  the  way  —  he  Said  they 
wou'd  Send  none  but  Such  as  wou'd  be  content  to  Sit 
down  on  the  Ground  &  cover  themf elves  with  their  Heads. 
Every  one  of  the  Comtee  he  said  had  agreed  to  the  re- 
port. &  he  was  encouraged  it  wou'd  pafs  the  Houfe  —  as 
the  board  was  no  Danger  —  The  Comtee  are  of  the  most 
leading  men  — 

On  Monday  the  report  will  be  made,  after  which  I 
Shall  move  for  an  addition,  conditionally  that  N  York 
find  no  men,  but  Provif ions  &cee  having  already  hinted  at 
it,  but  not  caring  to  urge  it  'till  the  grand  point  was  Se- 
cured—  I  confefs  I  am  not  yet  out  of  pain  about  the 
Quota,  there  being  many  of  the  other  members,  who  don't 
Seem  inclined  to  enter  into  the  reafons  why  they  Shou'd 
raife  half  so  many  men  as  we,  when  their  Province  has 
but  a  Sixth  part  so  many  as  ours  —  I  Shall  give  my  whole 
attention  to  the  affair,  untill  it  has  the  600  I  fixt  &  hope 
to  Send  your  Ex.  the  best  News  by  the  next  Post — I 
Shou'd  by  no  means  have  troubled  yr  Ex.  with  so  long  & 
particular  a  detail  if  I  had  not  tho  't  that  my  Inf tructions 
required  it.  If  in  that  particular  I  have  misunderftood 
them,  I  ask  yr  Ex.  Excufe  being  Sir  Yr  most  obedient 

humble  Servant 
R  H  — 

P.  S.  Thofe  Piscataqua  men  will  want  at  least  20 
Whipfaws,  to  cut  logs  into  boards  for  Sheltring  the 
Army  — 

2  P.  S.  Every  Branch  here  affected  to  wonder  how 
our  Court  cou'd  afsume  to  prefcribe  to  each  Government 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  77 

its  Quota  —  but  took  no  exceptions  to  our  leading  the 
way  — 

64 
Col.  Robekt  Hale  to  Governor  Shirley.1 

Portsm0  March  21  1755 

Sir 

When  I  did  myfelf  the  honour  to  write  to  Yr  Excel- 
lency on  the  18th  by  Barker,  I  advis'd  that  the  report  of 
the  Comtee  was  to  be  pais  'd  on  that  day,  it  accordingly  was 
in  the  evening,  but  accepted  only  for  400  men  &  a  Claufe 
added  provided  a  way  can  be  found  to  defray  ye  Charge 
for  great  Difficulties  attend  that,  the  Govr  having  about 
10  or  12000  £  of  it,  which  he  will  not  agree  to  receive  lefs 
for  than  what  is  promifed  in  the  face  of  the  Bill  —  in  the 
morning  as  Soon  as  the  Houfe  Sat  I  sent  in  a  Memorial 
defiring  to  be  heard  before  the  Houfe  which  was  granted, 
&  at  noon  defired  the  Speaker  pro  tempore  that  when 
the  debate  was  again  returned,  if  it  appeared  likely  no 
Alteration  wou'd  be  made,  that  he  wou'd,  before  the 
Houfe  came  to  a  Vote,  let  them  know  that  I  shou'd  be 
glad  to  drink  a  glass  of  wine  with  them  at  my  Lodgings, 
in  the  evening,  but  in  ye  afternoon  I  had  a  Mefsage  from 
ye  Houfe  excufing  their  coming  ther  &  defiring  I  woud 
fee  them  at  their  Houfe  (which  is  a  Tavern)  at  six 
o'Clock  there  on  hearing  the  Difficulties  stated  by  one  & 
another  I  endeavour 'd  to  obviate  them  &  took  my  leave 
this  morning  they  again  took  the  report  into  Confidera- 
tion — &  agreed  to  raife  500  men*  after  so  much  Time 
Spent  &  Debate  in  public  &  private,  I  tho't  it  in  vain  to 
make  any  farther  Efforts,  so  tarrying  only  to  get  a  Copy 
of  the  Vote,  herein  inclosed,  I  hasten 'd  out  of  Town  —  I 
hope  for  your  Excellency 's  Pardon  in  not  coming  directly 
to  Boston  as  the  General  Court  is  so  near  Sitting,  which 
I  must  attend  on  Tuesday  next  —  I  beg  leave  to  afsure 
Yr  Excellency,  I  am  Sr  Yr  most  obedient 

humble  Servant 
Rob*  Hale 

P.  S.    I  rather  wonder  y1  this  Gov1  were  willing  to  raise 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


78  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

so  many  as  500  than  that  they  wou'd  not  exceed  that 
Number,  as  they  have  a  very  larg  Frontier  exposed  to  ye 
incurfions  of  a  Scalping  enemy,  whereas  Connecticut's 
Quota  is  but  double  to  y1  tho  they  are  at  least  three  as 
large  in  Numbers  &  Wealth  &  have  no  Frontier  to  the 

Woods 

*in  the  afternoon  the  council  concurred  &  to  day  at 
12  °Cloek  the  Gov1-  confented,  tho  he  raifed  Some  Diffi- 
culties—  This  is  all  I  have  able  to  obtain  after  all  my 
Endeavours,  &  I  hope  will  be  acceptable  — 

I  am  Your  Excellencies 
most  obed1  humble  Serv1 
RH 


65 

It  is  unfortunate  that  the  first  page  of  the  following 
letter  has  been  lost  but  it  undoubtedly  forms  one  of  the 
group  written  to  Governor  Shirley  at  this  time. 

Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Governor  Shirley.1 

than  2/3  so  much  as  a  Cap1  in  the  King's  pay;  they 
were  then,  to  no  purpose,  frequently  told  of  y*  Conse- 
quence—  the  event  proved  the  conjecture  true  —  Col. 
Ruggles  has  told  me,  if  but  one  man  of  weight  &  influ- 
ence more  had  been  of  ye  Council  of  war,  they  had  pro- 
ceeded—  so  the  Army  reta  re  infecta — &  worfe  may 
probably  be  ye  Consequence  if,  they  engage  a  Fr.  army, 
(for  y1  is  expected,  or  a  far  lefs  number  might  be 
enough)  for  'tis  not  bare  fighting  will  do,  &  this  army 
may  not  be  in  Such  a  Situation  as  the  last  who  had  noth- 
ing left  them  but  to  fight  or  Swim  thro'  the  lake  —  Col. 
Bagley  Seems  Sensible  of  this  &  thinks  if  there  were  6 
Battalions  &  so  but  3  Regiments,  the  Gov1  woud  so  far 
advance  ye  Col°  pay  as  to  encourage  the  best  men  —  he 
himfelf  is  so  Selfdenying  as  to  offer  in  y1  Case  to  be  L1 
Col0  of  a  Battalion  rather  than  at  ye  Head  of  a  regiment, 
he  tells  me  y1  ye  Gen,  Secr  (for  want  of  an  Ability  in 
ye  Col0  to  manage  an  Argument)  has  that  influence  in  ye 
Council  of  war  over  the  lower  officers  as  to  carry  points 

i  MS.  owned  by  the  Amer.  Antiq.  Society,  Worcester,  Mass. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  79 

all  along  against  the  opinion  of  the  Colonels  —  this  may 
be  remedied  in  Some  meafure  by  excluding  ye  Majors  out 
of  ye  Council,  (as  was  at  Cape  Breton  Exped")  — 

I  am  extremely  Senfible  of  yr  Excellencies  kindnefs  in 
fearing  my  Conftitution  may  fail  me  as  before  —  that 
tho  't  does  not  discourage  me  —  for  bef ides  that  my  State 
of  Health  is  far  better  now  than  when  I  engaged  in  yl 
Exped1  I  hope  not  to  meet  with  y*  infupportable  treat- 
ment I  had  there — but  bef  ides  the  difficulties  above  hint- 
ed at  I  fear  much  for  ye  Conduct  of  ye  Comtee  of  war,  un- 
lefs  they  are  more  under  yr  Excellencies  direction  —  the 
Cannon,  tis  Said,  did  not  arrive  at  Albany  'till  August 
ye  2d  —  they  wou'd  by  no  means  be  perf waded  to  Send 
flower  &  Bakg,  inftead  of  Bread — nor  whipfaws  inftead 
of  tents  tho'  it  wou'd  have  lefsen'd  ye  charge  many  thou- 
sands &  ye  men  been  better  covered,  nor  many  other 
things  which  were  earnestly  prefsed  on  them  timely  eno', 
as  Cap*  Osborn  can  witnefs  &  which  it  now  appears  might 
better  have  been  attended  to  —  to  be  finding  fault  is  an 
uncomfortable  Situation,  but  who  can  avoid  taking  notice 
of  an  Error  which  may  prove  fatal  to  an  affair  of  the  last 
importance — ? 

I  wou'd  by  no  means  be  mistaken  by  your  Excellency 
that  I  am  lefs  desirous  Gen.  Winslow  shou'd  command  in 
chief  than  any  other  Genl.  befides  yrfelf  in  the  Province. 
I  know  he  has  ye  most  Experience  of  any  one  —  I  be- 
lieve him  to  have  a  confiderable  Genius,  at  least  for  mar- 
tial affairs  —  that  he  will  treat  his  infre  officers  with  prop- 
er respect  &  his  Soldiers  with  humanity  take  a  proper 
Care  of  their  Health  &  not  unnecefsarily  expofe  them,* 
that  he  will  give  his  orders  with  calmnefs  &  have  that 
prefence  of  mind  in  dangers  as  to  be  able  readily  to 
choofe  the  best  of  any  two  or  more  expedients  that  may 
offer  themf elves  &c,  yet  with  all  this,  I  can't  think  he  will 
so  well  as  Your  Excellency  manage  so  unweildly  a  ma- 
chine as  an  Army  of  good  men  without  any  Gen.  Officer 
befide  Mr  Lyman  or  any  other  by  any  means  equal  to  Col. 
Gridley,  apart  from  his  Skill  as  an  Engineer  —  however 
if  Col.  Plaisted  Shall  accept,  he  will  be  of  great  service  — 

For  my  Self,  I  am  Sufficiently  Senfible  of  my  incapac- 
ity to  afford  much  afsiftance  &  was  not  difpleased,  ex- 


80  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

cept  with  myself  to  perceive  your  Excellency  offered  I 
Shou'd  go  in  the  army  rather  out  of  kindnefs  to  me  or 
perhaps  in  reward  for  past  Services,  than  that  you  enter- 
tain any  other  opinion  of  me,  yet  I  think  I  must  be  more 
public  fpirited  than  I  can  pretend  to,  to  engage  under  the 

disadvantages  I  have  mentioned tho'  I  am  notwith- 

ftanding  under  great  obligations  to  yr  Excellency  for 
your  proposal. 

I  have  your  Excellencies  Promife  (&  had  great  need  of 
it)  that  you  wou'd  forgive  my  Scrawls,  which  however, 
were  not  intended  to  mean  any  thing  inconfiftent  with  the 
greatest  duty  &  respect,  for  I  hope  never  to  be  so  un- 
happy as  that  you  Shou'd  believe  I  am  other  than  your 
most  faithful  Servant  R  H 

P.  S.  My  Nephew  R.  H.  Chipman  is  Still  in  so  low  a 
State  of  health  as  not  to  be  able  to  attend  his  duty  by  y6 
10th  of  this  Month,  so  pray  yr  Excellencies  farther  Direc- 
tion. 

Pray  Sir,  dont  forget  Cap*  John  Lee  junr  of  Manchr. 

*  that  he  will  have  Sufficient  caution  to  prevent  a  Sur- 
prize 

66 

Josiah,  the  youngest  son  of  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman, 
at  this  time  left  home  for  Newbury,  the  birthplace  of  his 
grandmother,  Mrs.  John  Downing.  Whether  he  was  at- 
tending school  or  whether  he  was  bound  to  "Mr.  Sewell," 
we  do  not  know,  but  his  relations  with  the  Littles,  his 
grandmother's  family,  were  very  close.  He  asks  for  his 
"Corderious,"  which  was,  probably,  the  Scholastic  Collo- 
quies written  in  1479  by  Corderius,  a  preceptor  of  Calvin. 
Josiah  is  now  fifteen. 

Josiah  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Newbury  April  26  1755 
Ever  honoured  Mother 

I  Received  yours  to  Day  I  am  glad  to  hear  from  you 
I  Got  over  very  well  over  att  two,    I  want  my  hat.    Get 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  81 

my  Corderious  att  Uncle  Daniels  &  bring  it  over  for  I 
Want  it,  Coufen  Little  says  he  does  not  know  when  the 
sacrament  will  be  but  he  Will  know  Monday,  Tell  Theo- 
filus  I  believe  he  can  board  here  with  me  by  what  I've 
heard  them  say,  Mr  Sewell  &  Mrs  Sewell  remembers  their 
Love  to  you  Josiah  Gilman 

67 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  6th  June  1755. 
Honoured  Mother 

I  wrote  you  P  Cap1  James  since  which  I  have  received 
none  of  your  favours  I  could  not  pof sibly  get  your  Gown 
done  to  send  P  James  but  it  is  now  done  and  I  shall  send 
it  P  Mr  Rogers. —  my  Brother  was  well  Yefterday.  I 
want  some  Shirts  very  much  since  I  have  but  Six  in  all 
and  they  are  all  very  much  wore  Except  the  New  One  I 
was  Obliged  to  go  yefterday  to  Marblehead  for  a  Bill  of 
Exchange  of  Mr  Hooper  with  whom  I  dined  &  I  had  not 
one  Clean  fhirt  to  put  on  having  but  two  Clean  and  them 
at  Mrs  Kings  to  be  new  Ristbanded  and  must  have  been 
forced  to  go  in  a  very  dirty  Shirt  if  I  had  not  borrowed 
one  to  wear.  The  Reason  I  wear  out  my  Shirts  so  fast  is 
becaufe  I  have  not  enough  to  shift  me  when  they  are 
Dirty  it  would  be  cheaper  to  let  me  have  12  or  13  Shirts 
and  even  to  hire  them  Washed  then  to  have  but  Six  and 
have  Made  fo  dirty.  I  have  now  no  fhoes  to  my  Feet  and 
must  be  forced  to  buy  A  pr  unlefs  I  receive  them  from 
you  before  this  reaches  Exeter  These  I  now  have  I  have 
wore  three  Monthes  constantly  and  if  they  had  been  Sea- 
soned well  before  I  put  them  on  they  would  have  lasted 
another  Month  shoud  be  very  glad  if  you  woud  get  me 
three  pr  of  Just  such  shoes  made  as  the  last  except  in- 
ftead  of  Grained  Leather  make  them  of  that  which  is  not 
I  want  a  fummer  Coat  for  Sunday  as  I  am  forced  to  wear 
my  Fuftian  one  every  day  and  cannot  keep  it  clean  fitt 
to  wear  to  Meeting.  I  want  also  a  good  handfome  pr  of 
Breeches  to  wear  of  a  Sunday  shoud  be  very  glad  of  a  pr 


82  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

of  Knit  ones  which  I  can  get  here  ready  made  for  Six 
Pound  old  Tenor,  my  Hat  I  dont  expect  to  receive  till 
this  is  quite  worn  out  —  I  want  some  stockings  very  much 
as  my  feet  sweat  so  I  can't  wear  Yarn  ones  —  however  I 
believe  I  had  as  good  leave  out  the  other  things  I  want 
at  present  being  Convinced  what  I  have  wrote  will  be 
fufficient  to  tire  your  patience  to  read  As  it  is  so  far 
from  Exeter  to  Boston  and  You  cannot  know  what  I  want 
till  I  have  wanted  it  some  Considerable  Time  it  would  I 
believe  be  much  the  Cheapest,  easiest  &  best  way  to  let 
me  have  25£  P  Quarter  for  the  first  and  20£  a  Quarter 
for  the  Second  Year  and  I  will  be  bound  to  maintain  my- 
self therewith,  I  had  the  Offer  of  sending  a  Venture  to 
the  West  Indies  in  partnerfhip  with  a  person  who  sent 
70£  and  he  had  for  his  Returns  174£  but  I  had  no  money 
to  send  and  therefore  mifsed  so  good  a  Chance. 

I  cannot  Plan  that  piece  of  Land  you  sent  me  the  bear- 
ings properly  there  being  a  miftake  in  the  laft  Station 
where  it  says  S  98  E  which  is  impofsible. 

I  remain  with  due  Refpect  Yr  Dut11  f on    Josh  Gilman. 

68 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter, 
N.  H. 

Cambridge,  Sep1  18th  1755. 
Hond  Mother 

I  improve  this  as  well  as  all  other  Oppurtunities  to 
write  yl  I  enjoy  my  usual  State  of  Health  —  I've  not  been 
to  Boston  fince  James  came  but  hear  he  has  not  bro't  my 
Things  pray  let  Joseph  or  any  Body  else  convey  them  on 
Board  Coker  or  any  other  Way  convey  them  as  soon  as 
pofsible  viz.  4  Crown  Chairs  to  make  ye  y2  Doz.  &  ye  great 
One  1  pr  Brafs  Candlesticks  Box  of  Books  &c  You  know 
I'm  poorly  Cloth 'd  &  therefore  I  need  not  write  about  it. 
Give  my  Service  to  Cap'  Light  &  desire  him  if  he  can  to 
send  me  50  or  60£  as  soon  as  pofsible  for  I  must  of  Necef- 
sity  have  so  much  very  foon.  You  have  doubtlefs  heard 
before  this  time  of  ye  great  Battle  yl  was  fought  last  Sun- 
day Sevenight  by  ye  Crown  Point  army  in  Wch  Coll1  Tit- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  83 

comb1  of  Newbury  Majr  Ashley  &  Coll1  Williams2  wth 
many  other  Officers  were  kill'd  Men  are  daily  rais'd  & 
going  to  reinforce  ym  &  we  hear  that  at  Connecticut  they 
ride  off  in  Companys  10  or  20  together  without  any  Order 
at  all  so  that  we  expect  daily  to  hear  more  of  War. 

Pray  answer  this  &  write  how  many  men  are  gone  out 
of  New  Hampshire  &  wr  Coll1  Gilman  &  Mr  Phillips 3  are 
gone  for  I  hear  they  have. 

I  am  yr  Dutifull  Son      Tristram. 

69 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Sepr  27 
Honoured  Mother  1755 

I  arrived  here  safe  last  Night  abl  y2  past  7  o  'Clock  & 
have  no  opportunity  to  send  any  thing  P  Josiah  he  is  in 
such  a  Hurry  to  get  to  Newbury  Mondy  that  he  will  not 
be  persuaded  to  come  to  Boston  on  Monday  morning 
which  he  might  easily  do  if  he  would.  I  shall  Send  your 
Linnen  Yarn  P  the  first  opportunity  I  have  no  Money  to 
buy  your  Sugar  Shall  send  all  my  old  Clothes  P  James  — 
I  forgot  to  call  at  Mr  Lampson  to  be  measured  for  my 
Coat,  he  must  make  it  as  well  as  he  can  without,  make  it 
as  soon  as  yu  can  send  my  Shoes  as  soon  as  they  are 
done —  Yr  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

P.  S.  Since  this  was  wrote  I  have  got  ready  as  many 
of  my  things  as  I  could  send  P  Brother  cannot  spare 
these  Breeches  to  be  seated  lest  I  should  have  none  to 
wear. 

In  great  hast. 

i  This  is  the  Moses  Titcomb  who  was  major  in  Col.  Hale  's  regiment  be- 
fore Louisburg.  He  had  command  of  the  extreme  right  wing  of  Gen.  John- 
ston 's  line  at  Crown  Point  and  was  killed  by  Indians. 

2  Col.  Ephraim  Williams,  who  left  most  of  his  property  to  found  a  free 
school  in  western  Massachusetts,  which  became  Williams  college. 

3  Col.  Peter  Gilman,  now  fifty-one  years  old,  commanded  the  second  regi- 
ment of  New  Hampshire  men  who  went  up  to  reinforce  Gen.  William  John- 
ston. The  "Mr  Phillips"  mentioned  must  have  been  Hon.  John  Phillips, 
the  founder  of  Phillips  Academy,  Exeter,  who  had  married  the  widow  of 
Joseph's  uncle,  Nathaniel  Gilman.  We  find  him  mentioned  afterwards  in 
the  letters. 


84  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

70 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Octor  27th  1755. 
Hond  Mother 

Since  my  last  I  have  received  Yrs  P  Gerrish  Jenkins 
&  Mr  Parkman  I  also  received  my  Brothers  Chairs  Box 
of  Boks  &c  P  James.  I  am  sorry  that  I  have  now  to  ac- 
quaint that  your  Yarn  is  miflaid  Pr  the  Dyer  &  cannot 
be  found,  but  I  hope  it  will  be  in  a  Little  Time.  I  send  2 
of  Mr  Whitfield's  Letters  which  Cost  2/6  a  pce.  I  have  not 
money  to  buy  you  any  Sugar  at  present  as  I  was  forced 
to  buy  me  a  pr  of  New  Shoes.  Cap1  James  goes  away  so 
soon  that  I  believe  I  cannot  send  my  Coat  or  your  Gown 
by  him  —  I  shall  without  fail  Send  them  if  he  does  not  go 
toNight  —  the  price  of  Great  Bibles  you  have  inclosed 
with  on  Dollar  advance  on  each  am  in  Good  health  and 
remain  Yr  Dutifull  Son  Joseph. 

P.  S.     This  is  in  prodigious  hast. 

71 
In  explanation  of  this  letter  and  the  following  draft 
of  an  answer,  we  must  remind  ourselves  that  at  this  time 
New  England  was  in  the  throes  of  a  religious  excitement 
that  had  begun  before  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman 's  death. 
Churches  were  splitting  and  every  one  taking  sides  for  or 
against  the  "new  Light."  Many  of  the  older  ministers 
were  opposed  to  the  methods  of  George  Whitefield  and 
other  revivalists  who  were  traveling  through  the  coun- 
try and  many  churches  closed  their  doors  to  these  preach- 
ers. Tristram  was  at  Harvard  where  the  president,  Dr. 
Wigglesworth,  and  the  faculty  had  come  out  openly  in 
opposition  to  Mr.  Whitefield,  as  he  wrote  his  mother  on 
December  16, 1754.  Probably,  from  these  agitated  notes. 
Mrs.  Gilman  was  very  much  disturbed  about  her  two 
sons.  Joseph's  misdemeanor  was  either  not  going  to 
church  at  all  or  going  to  hear  the  men  who  were  preach- 
ing against  what  his  mother  believed  to  be  the  truth.     It 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  85 

is  evident,  from  his  second  letter  on  the  subject,  that  he 
at  once  wrote  his  mother  hastily  and  somewhat  disre- 
spectfully.   That  letter  was  not  preserved. 

Ebenezer  Little  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Oilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Newbury  November  ye  10  :1755 
Dear  Cofin  ye  inclofed  i  recvd  of  Mr  Savage  in  B  of  ton ; 
No  perf on  Knows  ye  Contents  hear  but  my  Self ;  i  think 
you  had  beft  to  rite  Mr  Savage;  &  Jofeph  your  Self;  i 
would  have  you  be  tender  in  ye  Cafe 

your  loving  Kinfman    Ebenezer  Little 
PS  ye  half  Joannes  i  had  of  you  &  Sifter  Gilman  by  ye 
hands  of  Cofin  Truftom:  by  miftake  i  lend  it  to  a  man 
who  put  it  of  at  Bofton :  i  rit  ye  man  aboute  it  but  have 
had  no  Anfwer  —  He  took  it  for  a  guinea      EL 

72 
On  the  back  of  Ebenezer  Little's  letter  there  is  a  rough 
draft  of  Mrs.  Gilman 's  letter  to  her  son.  Her  wretched 
writing  and  poorer  spelling  was  the  natural  consequence 
of  the  neglect  of  woman's  education  in  early  New  Eng- 
land. Even  at  a  later  date  than  this  the  public  schools 
of  Boston  were  open  to  boys  only.  The  contrast  between 
the  letters  of  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  and  those  of  his  wife 
is  very  marked  but  he  does  not  seem  to  have  respected 
her  less  for  her  ignorance,  which  was  probably  common 
to  the  women  of  her  time. 

Dear  child  I  wrote  to  you  by  mr  Cleark  &  send  you  a 
pair  of  briches  which  thoue  mistak  he  left  att  newels  I 
send  you  a  pair  of  stockens 

dear  child  I  have  yeast  heard  a  pece  of  malancher  new 
I  hear  you  do  sen  to  be  a  church  man  which  be  a  greaf  of 
mind  to  me  mr  Newel  with  your  brother  Josiah  is  here 
know  soo  I  can  say  but  littel  about  itt  yow  but  if  prov- 
endenc  permit  shall  write  lardge  about  itt  I  wrote  mr 
Cleark  &  sent  you  a  pair  of  briches  wch  thou  a  mistak 
he  left  att  Newl  I  sent  you  a  par  Send  me  word  how  clear 
board  is  a  thousand  by  mr  rice  you  may  write  agen  by 
Clark 


86  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

73 

Josiah  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Hon 'd  Mother  — 

I  Came  home  well  that  Day  —  I  Carried  that  Leather 
to  mr  Bartlet  he  will  make  them  Monday  he  says  that  I 
had  better  get  a  pair  of  Thick  Leather  Shoes  I  do'nt 
know  the  benefit  of  them  this  Weather  —  I  want  another 
for  to  Change  they  will  laft  as  Long  again — Mafter  Says 
there  is  a  man  going  to  Exeter  for  an  ox  he  will  bring  this 
John  is  agoing  along  with  him  in  the  Middle  of  next  week 
No  News 

So  I  Remain  your  Dutifull  Son  Josiah  Gilman 

Newbury  November  14th 

Friday 

74 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  8th  Decemr  9th  1755. 
My  Hond  &  Belovd  Mother 

I  now  sit  down  to  write  with  more  composednefs  of 
mind  Then  I  did  yesterday,  I  have  been  very  poorly  as 
to  health  of  Body ;  but  much  more  so  in  mind ;  as  you  may 
very  well  judge  by  the  Letter  I  wrote  yesterday. 

Gratitude  is  one  of  the  most  pleasing  exercises  of  ye 
mind;  says  ye  Spectator,  and  all  the  way  I  have  to  pay 
you  for  ye  great  fateegue  &  trouble  you  had  with  me  when 
a  Child,  &  still  continue  to  undergo  for  my  good;  is  to 
fhew  by  my  Actions  I  always  bear  a  gratefull  sence  of 
You  in  my  mind.  To  obey  your  Commands  as  long  as  I 
live  &  ever  to  be  concerned  for  your  wellfare. 

If  Gratitude  is  due  from  Man  to  Man ;  is  it  not  much 
more  so  from  Man  to  his  Maker ;  He  who  gave  us  being 
for  no  other  End  but  to  make  us  happy;  for  I  am  far 
from  thinking  that  the  God  of  Love  &  Mercy  ever  Created 
any  only  to  make  ym  miserable,  &  those  persons  that  think 
so;  must  have  but  a  very  poor  Idea  of  God's  Love  &  ten- 
der Mercy  not  that  I  think  God  is  all  Love  &  has  no  jus- 
tice. 

I  am  perswaded  that  I  was  not  born  meerly  to  get  a 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  87 

great  Estate,  or  for  myself  alone;  nor  do  I  desire  to 
lead  a  Life  unserviceable  to  mankind  —  which  end  I  de- 
sire always  to  keep  in  View — I  am  perswaded  that  Riches 
must  be  given  an  Account  of  at  the  Last  day  —  yet  I  know 
no  Commandment  forbidding  us  to  get  an  Estate  in  a 
right  &  regular  manner  —  &  a  rich  man  has  more  &  great- 
er advantages  of  doing  good  than  a  poor  man. 

I  am  not  discouraged  about  Ventureing  to  Sea  because 
the  Gilmans  hitherto  have  met  with  miffortunes  thereby, 
luck  &  chance  says  Solomon  happen  to  all  men1 — how- 
ever as  I  have  no  thoughts  of  going  to  Sea ;  it  is  needlef s 
to  enlarge  on  this  head. 

I  have  Studied  my  Temper  a  great  deal  &  find  it  is 
much  easier  to  draw  than  to  drive  me  to  anything;  &  I 
find  that  I  have  had  the  greatest  Sence  of  God  &  Religion 
after  reading  that  pafsage  of  St.  Paul  "The  goodnefs  of 
God  leadeth  the  to  repentance"  than  in  reading  the  most 
Threatning  place  in  Scripture,  &  if  that  does  not  awaken 
me  to  a  Sence  of  my  Duty  I  am  afraid  nothing  will  & 
heartily  wish  that  thro'  the  goodnefs  of  God  I  may  be 
led  to  repentance  —  can  any  Man  be  so  lost  to  all  sence 
of  gratitude  as  to  offend  so  good  and  fo  bountifull  a  God 
as  ours  is  —  I  do  af sure  you  Madra  that  I  am  confounded 
to  think  that  I  continue  to  offend  one  who  is  continually 
blefsing  me  with  numberlefs  and  great  mercy's  —  so 
much  for  Religion ;  our  only  Solid  &  substantiall  good. 

I  now  inform  you  that  I  received  P  Cap1  James  17th 
Bee  Wax  &  5  lb  old  Pewter ;  have  fold  the  Bee  Wax  for 
£9.0.0  Old  Tenor  &  is  24  fhillgs  Lawfull  Money  which  is 
10/  more  than  Mr  Tyler  would  have  gave  me  for  it  & 
inclos'd  you  have  [torn]  The  money  the  old  Pewter  I 
sold  him  who  has  Credited  You  with  it  @  6/  P  lb  which 
is  the  most  it  fells  for  here. 

Have  fent  you  P  Coker  1  Loaf  of  Good  fugar  weighing 
8  lb  @  7/  P  ib  which  is  the  lowest  that  I  could  buy  it  for 
by  the  Single  Loaf  &  which  amounts  56/  11/  more  than 
my  Brother  gave  me.  Please  to  Cr  my  Brother  with  45/ 
&  me  11/. 

I  have  likewise  sent  P  Coker  1  m  10d  Nails  price  £3.5/ 

i  This  seems  to  be  a  rather  free  rendering  of  Ecclesiastes  9:11.  "Time 
and  chance  happen  to  all  men. ' ' 


88  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

&  1  doz.  Nail  Gimblets  8/  my  Aunt's  Tea  Dishes  Your 
Gown,  my  old  Coat  &  all  my  old  Cloth's. 

Coker  had  saild  before  I  received  Your  Letter  so  could 
not  send  the  Sieves  but  can  fend  them  to  Newbury  if  you 
please  —  write  whether  you  would  have  them  f ent  or  not. 

I  am  now  in  pretty  good  Health  &  remain  Your  Duti- 
full  Son  Joseph  Gilman 

P.  S.  Should  be  glad  if  you  would  not  f hew  my  Letters 
f  o  much  &  these  to  nobody ;  herein  you  will  oblige  me  very 
much.  J-  Gr- 

75 
The  next  letter  is  written  in  such  a  way  that  one  can- 
not fathom  its  real  meaning.  Whether  Col.  Hale  was 
annoyed  with  Governor  Hutchinson  or,  in  common  with 
him,  with  a  third  person,  it  is  difficult  to  say.  At  this 
time  Thomas  Hutchinson,  the  afterwards  unpopular 
Royal  governor  of  Massachusetts,  was  a  judge  of  pro- 
bate. What  Mad6  de  Saxe's  "Pantin"  was  or  who 
was  Madam  Wiborne,  are  things  we  shall  never  know. 
"Mr.  Bellan"  was  probably  the  Mr.  Bollan  who  came  to 
Massachusetts  in  1741  and  was  later  agent  in  England 
for  the  colony.  The  "Dog  Act"  was  passed  this  year, 
giving  a  bounty  of  5s.  "to  encourage  the  keeping  of 
dogs."  Two  years  before  the  town  had  voted  a  bounty 
of  2s.  on  every  dog's  head  brought  to  the  town  treasurer. 
This  must  have  made  Beverly  unpleasantly  conspicuous 
among  the  small  towns  around  and  the  inhabitants  were 
ready  to  take  offence  owing  to  another  nickname  that  the 
town  had  borne  before  which  Col.  Hale  alludes  to.  Roger 
Conant,  in  1671,  had  tried  to  get  the  name  changed  to 
Budleigh,  which  was  his  birthplace  in  England.  His  rea- 
son was  that  the  town,  being  "but  a  small  place,"  had  the 
' '  constant  nickname  of  '  Beggarly. '  ' ' 


Book-plate  of  Col.  Robert  Hale 

Owned  by  Robert  Hale  Noyes  of  Portland,  Ore- 
gon, sixth  in  descent  from  Col.  Robert  Hale 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  89 

Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Judge  Thomas  Hutchinson,  Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

Beverly  Decr  24.  1755 
Dear  Sir 

Fashions  generally  take  their  rife  at  Court  and  from 
thence  by  flow  degrees  descend  to  the  extremities  of  the 
nation  where  the  fashion  appears  when  the  reason  of  it 
if  out  of  sight ;  they  are  not  however  always  founded  in 
reason,  yet  mostly  obtain,  as  there  are  always  more  fools 
than  wife  —  as  it  was  100  years  before  when  Dr  Fuller 
wrote  of  it  —  No  one  is  ridiculous,  for  what  he  is,  but  for 
afsuming  what  he  is  not  —  thus  it  might  be  well  eno  for 
Made  de  Saxe  to  curtfie  with  her  Pantin,  but  not  so  for 
Madam  Wiborne  — 

Mr  Bellan,  I  am  perfwaded,  is  more  dictated  by  good 
fenfe  than  custom  —  fhould  he  write  you  he  had  fent  you 
fuch  a  paper  inclosed,  his  information  wou'd  be  unnecef- 
sary — if  he  anfwers  any  part  of  yr  letter,  you  wou'd  be 
as  fully  perfwaded  he  had  recd  it  as  if  he  told  you  so  — 
'twou'd  be  impertinent  to  mention  it,  if  he  had  nothing  to 
fay  to  it  —  which  might  be  because  the  fubject  was  ex- 
hausted, or  it  might  not  deferve  an  anfwer.  For  either 
the  weak  low  or  trifling  notices  in  it — &  this  last  I  con- 
fefs  I  always  took  to  be  the  reafon  why  you  have  fcarce 
ever  anfwered  mine,  as  for  the  contrary  property  in  them, 
I  always  anfwer  yours  — 

A  late  writer  of  ye  History  of  Great  Britain,  obferves 
that  divers  places  are  at  this  day  famous  for  the  fame 
tempers,  dispositions  &c  which  Campden  remarks  in  them 
so  Swift  fayes  that  Banbury  is  as  famous  for  Zeal  tho' 
not  for  Cakes,  &  I  afsure  you  that  what  as  much  as  any- 
thing displeafed  our  pple  here  about  ye  Dog  Act  was  that 
some  of  our  wifeer  Neighbours,  on  its  pafsing  call'd  this 
Dog  town.  However,  it  feems  our  legislature  last  year 
were  a  little  more  compafsionate  &  obliging  than  that  in 
1671  —  Cap1  Lothrop  (who  with  his  Company  were  all  but 
3  kill  'd  by  ye  Indians  near  Deerfield  1675)  was  the  Agent 
to  ye  Court  for  ye  Town,  &  yr  Deputy  in  1671  —  he  came 
from  Beverly  in  Yorkfhire  &  prevail1  against  Conant, 
tho '  f upported  by  almost  all  ye  principal  men  in  ye  Town. 


90  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

my  predecefsor,  then  an  Inhabitant  here,  did  not  fub- 
fcribe  with  ye  rest  —  that  is,  he  was  not  in  the  fafhion, 
&  there  is  fomething  you  fee  of  the  fame  unpolitenefs 
descended  to  his  Grandfon,  Yr  most  oblig'd 

humble  Serv1  R  H  — 
Th.  Hutchinfon 

76 
Josiah  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Hon'd  Mother 

I  improve  this  oppertunity  to  let  You  know  that 
through  the  divine  goodnefs  of  God  I've  got  redd  of  my 
cough.  I  have  receiv'd  2  pr  of  Breeches  &  one  Jacket  the 
Plufh  Breeches  I  can't  butten  att  the  knees.  I  shall  send 
them  home  —  Clemence  lives  on  the  Road  1  or  2  houfen 
this  fide  of  Thurrel's  bridge  on  the  right  hand  —  I  sent 
you  a  Sheet  of  Paper  it  coft  half  a  Crown  —  I  have  paie 
Edmund  Bartlet  18  Shillings  for  making  2  for  what 
Leather  he  found  —  I  want  a  pr  of  Shoes  thefe  are  wore 
out  —  Theoph  is  well  — 

So  I  Remain  your  Dutifull 

Son —  Josiah  Gilman  Junr. 

Newbury  March  15  1756 

77 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  31  March  1756. 
Hond  Mother 

I  have  just  now  seen  Mr  Perkins  who  arrivd  in  Town 
about  y2  hour  ago  &  designs  to  go  out  tomorrow  morning 
he  tells  me  has  a  pr  of  Shoes  for  me  &  likewise  a  Letter 
but  has  left  them  both  at  his  Lodging  which  is  %  of  a 
Mile  from  hence  I  cannot  therefore  answer  the  Letter 
but  must  defer  it  to  the  next  opportunity  never  could 
have  any  thing  happend  more  luckily  than  my  shoes  being 
sent  at  this  time  for  I  am  allmost  barefoot  &  have  not  one 
penny  of  money  to  get  any  with  —  should  be  glad  if  you 
would  send  me  2  or  3  Thousand  of  Clear  Boards  pr  the 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  91 

first  opportunity  as  I  owe  Mr  Dawes  &  he  is  willing  to 
take  them  provided  you  send  them  soon  I  have  had  no 
spending  money  since  I  was  at  home  therefore  pray  you 
to  pity  the  poor  or  rather  your  poor  Son 
I  am  in  Health  &  Remain 

Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph. 

78 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Oilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  6th  April  1756. 
Hond  Madam 

I  received  P  Mr  Lord  a  Shirt  2  pair  Stockinge  &  four 
Crowns  two  for  my  Brother  &  two  for  myself  for  which 
am  much  obliged  should  be  glad  if  you  would  lay  out  the 
remainder  of  the  Bill  I  left  with  you  when  at  Exeter  in 
Quills  &  send  ym  P  the  first  opportunity  do  not  fail  to 
send  me  2  or  3  Thousand  Boards  P  James  as  I  have  prom- 
ised them  to  Mr  Daws  who  expects  ym  very  foon,  &  who  I 
have  owed  these  two  Years  We  had  the  22d  ult  a  prefs  in 
Town  for  Men  to  go  to  Crownpoint 1 —  and  escaped  very 
narrowly.  I  am  in  Good  Health  &  remain  with  due  Re- 
spect to  all  Friends  Yr  Dutifull 
May  6th  inftead  of  Aprill  Son  Joseph 

79 
Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Boston,  Mass. 

Exeter  may  23 
dear  Child 

my  doler  is  not  Come  yet  I  expect  them  next  weak  I 
fhall  Send  them  by  the  first  opertunity  if  you  have  not 
Sent  Josiah  Shurt  &  the  briches  Send  them  by  the  first 
opertunity  in  hast  M  G 

Send  my  gound  by  the 
first  good  opertunity 


i  In  order  to  get  the  large  number  of  soldiers  that  were  needed  to  pro- 
tect Louisburg,  the  British  resorted  to  impressment  in  Boston  and  riots 
followed.     Col.  Hale  was  put  on  the  committee  to  report  on  these  outrages. 


92  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

80 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  8th  June  1756 
Hond  Madam 

I  receiv'd  yours  dated  21  May  P  Mr  Lampion  but  was 
in  the  Poft  Office,  for  which  I  paid  about  twelve  pence  a 
Line 

Have  wrote  severall  Letters  to  you  since  I  have  had 
any  from  you,  This  serves  to  beg  you  would  by  no  means 
fail  of  sending  the  Boards  I  wrote  for  as  I  have  promised 
them  to  Mr  Dawes  &  he  now  wants  them  very  much  I  tell 
him  he  may  depend  on  having  them  P  James  or  Coker. 

I  want  some  Stocking  very  much. 
Am  in  Health  &  Remain  Your  Dutifull  Son         Joseph. 
P.  S. 

My  Brother  was  well  yesterday. 

81 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilmaist,  Exeter, 

N.  H. 

Cambridge  28th  — 1756  — 
Madam  — 

Having  this  Opportunity  to  write  I  improve  it,  I  am  at 
present  in  pretty  good  Health  as  to  my  Body  in  general 
but  neverthelefs  I  shou'd  not  be  surpriz'd  if  I  shou'd  be 
oblig'd  very  soon  to  take  a  Tour  somewhere  or  other  to 
get  rid  of  a  very  troublesome  epidemical  Ail  that  I  am 
something  suspicious  has  taken  hold  of  me  tho  I  am  not 
certain  but  if  it  is  really  so  I  shall  be  certainly  perplex 'd 
what  to  do  for  it  will  be  a  grievous  Affliction  but  I  must 
invent  Some  Means  or  other  perhaps  I  may  come  Home 
but  after  many  Tho'ts  I  can't  invent  from  whence  I 
caught  it — If  you  can  send  any  Dollars  by  Daniel  Gil- 
man I  wish  you  wou'd  for  to  speak  the  Truth  I  have  now 
but  3  Dollars  by  me  having  paid  off  all  the  rest  since  I 
came  —  I  have  I  think  but  4  Shirts  I  tho 't  I  had  5  —  Noth- 
ing Remarkable  except  that  Govr  Shirley  has  lately  lent 
this  Province  300000  Pounds  to  enable  them  to  carry  on 
the  Expedition  —  I  am  wth  Regards  to  all  Friends  Yr  duti- 
full Son  Tristram 

P.  S.     Pray  send  my  Sheets. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  93 

82 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  26th  July  1756. 
Hona  Madam 

I  have  received  no  News  of  you  since  you  left  Boston 
but  hope  these  will  find  you  and  Family  in  as  good  Health 
as  it  leaves  me. 

Have  bought  the  Bible  you  left  me  the  money  for  and 
shall  send  it  with  your  Whale  Bone  and  Wheat  (if  I  can 
get  any)  by  the  first  good  opportunity.  Have  some  good 
India x  to  sell  upon  Commissions  which  you  may  have  by 
the  single  pound  for  £5.5/  or  by  the  half  dozen  for  £4.15/ 
this  money,  you  may  write  me  word  whether  it  will  suit 
at  that  Price  with  you  if  it  does  I  will  send  up  some 

Mr  Savage  talks  of  going  to  Portsmouth  this  Week  P 
whom  shall  write  more  particulars  'Tis  probable  I  shall 
ride  up  my  Brothers  Horse. 

Yr  Dutifull  Son  Joseph 

P.  S.    my  Love  to  Tristram. 

83 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  3d  Sepr  1756 
Hond  Madm. 

I  receivd  yours  P  Mr  Doran  yesterday  and  P  Mr  Per- 
kins this  day  both  dated  1st  Sepr.  My  last  was  P  Cap4 
James  we  were  then  in  fuch  a  hurry  I  could  not  pof  sibly 
write  you  so  particular  as  I  would  have  otherwise  done 
as  we  were  then  just  opening  an  Insurance  Office 2  so  hope 
you  will  excuse  me. 

I  received  a  Shirt  P  Mr  Doran  —  could  not  pof  sibly 
ride  up  my  Brothers  Horse  for  the  above  reason  viz  our 
opening  an  Office  in  which  there  was  no  body  to  write  but 
myself  and  considerable  businefs  to  do,  tho'  I  am  sensible 

i  India  tea. 

2  In  the  Boston  Gazette  of  August  30,  1756,  is  the  following  advertise- 
ment :  ' '  Notice  of  opening  Insurance  Office.  Sam :  Phillips  Savage  Ann 
St.  near  Town  Dock.  Policies  will  be  underwrote  by  Gentlemen  of  un- 
doubted Credit  and  upon  reafonable  Terms." 


94  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

it  would  be  for  my  health  to  come  into  the  Country  once 
at  least  in  a  Year,  yours  P  Mr  Perkins  informs  me  Cap 
James  had  just  arrivd  &  you  had  your  Whalebone  &  Bible 
by  him  safe  —  I  could  not  get  you  any  Wheat  good  for 
seed  as  there  was  none  then  in  the  Dock  —  The  reason 
why  I  sent  you  no  Indigo  is  because  I  think  that  I  have 
to  sell  is  not  so  good  as  the  sample  you  sent  me  and  you 
desird  me  not  to  send  it  if  it  was  not  so  good. 

I  should  be  glad  you  would  get  the  Boards  ready  for 
Mr  Dawes,  I  have  by  some  small  work  at  writing  (since 
you  were  here)  earnt  enough  to  pay  him  £13.10.  this 
money  and  should  be  glad  I  could  have  paid  him  ye  whole 
Sum  I  owe  him ;  he  says  he  would  willingly  give  me  the 
money  again  for  Boards  so  if  you  please  to  send  enough 
you  may  have  the  money  for  your  own  use. 

I  am  very  sorry  you  had  that  Fustian  Coat  made  for 
me  as  it  will  not  fit  me  and  it  will  cost  something  to  alter 
it  and  the  Season  for  Summer  Clothes  was  very  nigh 
spent  when  I  receivd  it  and  I  cannot  wear  it  every  day 
for  above  one  Week  before  it  will  want  washing  and  the 
Washing  will  cost  before  it  is  wore  out  as  much  as  a  New 
Coat  would  —  my  Breeches  you  sent  me  now  want  wash- 
ing tho'  I  have  not  wore  them  a  fortnight  and  shall  not 
want  to  wear  them  much  more  this  Year. 

I  should  be  glad  you  would  get  me  some  Shoes  made 
just  such  as  you  sent  me  P  Mr  Jewet  which  I  sent  up  by 
my  Brother  to  be  Soled  let  them  be  strong  double  soles 
and  not  too  large  I  shal  soon  want  them  as  I  walk  now 
Three  times  as  much  as  I  have  done  since  I  livd  in  Town. 
I  want  a  good  winter  pr  Breeches,  and  my  Shirts  all 
want  mending  —  I  want  some  New  ones  very  much,  (want 
I  believe  is  a  word  usd  the  oftenest  of  any  in  my  Letters). 

I  should  be  glad  if  you  would  buy  some  Quills  with  the 
money  I  left  with  you  when  I  was  last  at  Exeter  I  Left 
3£  vour  money  and  you  were  to  pay  Mr  Tilton  12/  for  1 
G-rofs  Quills  I  bought  of  him  please  to  send  the  remain- 
der all  in  Quills  if  you  can  get  them.  My  Brother  was 
well  yesterday. 

Am  in  pretty  good  Health  at  present  and  Remain  with 
clue  regard  to  all  Friends  Your  Dutifull  Son 

Joseph 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  95 

84 
Josiak  Gilinan  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Hon'd  Mother 

Trough  the  goodnefs  of  God  I  am  in  good  health  at 
Prefent. 

I  Left  your  wool  at  Hampton  falls  &  Did  not  pay  for 
the  reft  Becaufe  he  was  not  at  home  &  She  Said  that  it 
would  do  as  well  when  you  sent  for  the  other.  Mr  Tit- 
comb  says  that  one  fpring  in  a  Window  will  do  for  a  small 
one.  I  will  get  one  made  &  send  it  over,  he  Thought 
that  you  would  ufe  that  Butter  if  he  could  not  git  it  over 
he  would  be  glad  if  you  Would  buy  him  some  Butter  with 
that  money  he  left  at  Is  lb.  He  Expexts  Some  Beef  of 
you  or  Sauce  this  fall  if  you  can  get  it  over.  I  paid  for 
your  Tea  bought  some  Cocolate  &  sent  you. 

No  more  at  Prefent. 

Your  Dutifull  Son  Josiah. 

Newbury  Sepr  13  1756. 

P.  S.     Do  not  Buy  the  Butter  without  you  can  send  it. 

85 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  1st  Octor  1756. 
Honourd  Madm 

My  last  was  P  Post  since  which  have  receivd  yours  P 
Mr  Newell  with  the  Meloncholly  News  of  the  Death  of 
Uncles  two  Children  which  hope  will  have  the  desird  ef- 
fect on  me.  I  never  received  any  Letter  relateing  to 
their  sicknefs  which  you  fay  in  your  last  you  fent  me  — 
am  forry  you  did  not  mention  any  thing  concerning  Mr 
Daws  Boards  as  he  asks  me  allmost  every  day  about 
them,  now  for  my  wants  —  firstly  my  hat  is  allmost  wore 
out.  2d  I  want  my  Coat  turnd  or  else  a  new  one  3d  I 
have  not  one  Jacket  fit  to  wear  to  meeting  4th  I  have  no 
Breeches  to  wear  but  what  are  tore  all  to  pieces  nor  can 
I  tell  when  I  shall  get  mine  of  Sutton  and  I  will  go  naked 
before  I  will  run  in  debt  for  a  pair  and  it  will  not  be  long 
if  I  do  not  receive  some  before  I  shall  be  naked,  5th  I  have 
but  3  Neckclothes  I  can  wear,  6th  allmost  all  my  fhirts  are 


96  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

worse  for  wear  —  7th  my  feet  sweat  full  as  much  now  as 
they  did  in  fummer  so  I  cannot  weare  a  pr  ftockings 
above  two  days  so  as  to  leave  any  bottoms  to  the  feet  of 
them.  8th  I  want  some  shoes  very  much  as  those  you  sent 
me  last  are  so  much  too  big  and  long  for  me  that  I  cannot 
pofsibly  wear  them  with  any  manner  of  ease  or  comfort. 
I  have  paid  Mr  Daws  towards  what  I  owe  him  £13.10.0 
paid  him  for  putting  on  Buttons  &  mendg  my  Coat    1.15- 

paid  him  for  mending  my  Jacket 0.10.- 

paid  him  for  Lining  for  Ditto 0.15.0 

paid  Mrs  King  for  mending  Shirts 0.  9- 

paid  for  Washing  my  Coat  twice  and  Breeches ...     1.  0.0 
paid  D°  my  White  Jacket  &  Lining  mends  &c 1.10- 

Carried  Over 1  19.  9.0 

Sum  Brought  Over 19.  9.0 

Cash  paid  a  Shoemaker  for  mending  my  Shoes ...     1.  5.0 

paid  for  mending  my  Stockings 0.10.0 

Cash  paid  for  new  Lining  my  Hat 0.10.0 

Cash  for  small  Expences  since  last  July 0.15.0 

Cash  paid  for  a  Penknife 0.12.0 


£23.  1.0 
so  I  have  spent  all  my  money  I  got  by  keeping  an  Ace1  of 
the  Lottery  which  I  intended  to  have  sent  as  an  Adven- 
ture and  doubt  not  but  by  the  Blessing  of  Providence  I 
might  have  doubled  my  money,  I  have  opportunity's 
enough  to  fend  Adventures  as  by  my  Businefs  I  become 
acquainted  with  allmost  all  the  Merchants  in  Town  and 
so  much  into  favour  with  some  that  I  could  have  the  Lib- 
erty to  fend  twenty  or  thirty  pounds  in  their  Vefsels 
without  paying  Freight  —  I  hope  you  will  remit  me  the 
above  money  which  I  think  was  none  of  it  spent  extrav- 
agantly—  if  you  will  send  the  Quantity  of  Boards2  you 
agreed  to  fend  Mr  Daws  he  will  pay  me  the  money  for  all 
above  what  I  owe  him  should  be  glad  if  you  would  fend 
me  some  part  of  the  above  within  a  Month  as  I  shall  have 

i  A  new  page  of  his  letter. 

2  The  manufacture  of  lumber  was  the  chief  source  of  revenue  in  Exeter 
for  a  century  after  the  settlement  and  owed  impulse  to  Edward  Gilman, 
our  emigrant  ancestor,  who  was  a  man  of  property  and  set  up  saw-mills 
there.  Even  as  late  as  1802  " Gilman 's  Saw-mills"  are  the  only  ones  shown 
in  a  plan  of  the  town. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  97 

an  opportunity  to  send  a  good  Adventure  to  the  West 
Indies  in  that  time  by  a  good  carefull  man.  —  You  will 
please  to  remember  there  is  a  Dollar  coming  to  me  from 
the  Kingston  Woman  for  the  Bible  which  please  to  get  af 
soon  as  you  can.  —  I  left  with  you  when  at  home  last  year 
a  three  pound  Bill  12/  of  which  was  to  be  paid  Mr  Tilton 
to  procure  me  Quills,  I  have  wrote  Mr  Tilton  to  procure 
me  Quills  to  the  Value  of  48/  which  now  remains  in  your 
hands  and  as  it  belongs  to  Mr  Savage  should  be  glad  you 
speak  to  Mr  Tilton  about  them.  — 

I  want  to  come  to  Exeter  for  many  Reasons  but  have 
no  prospect  of  coming  this  year. 

I  like  my  Businefs  very  well  and  have  enough  to  keep 
me  constantly  employd  for  which  desire  to  be  thankfull. 

I  am  in  Health  and  Remain  Your  Dutifull  Son 

Joseph  Oilman. 
P.  S. 

Since  I  wrote  the  above  I  received  yours  P  Mr  Rogers 
shall  write  you  by  Clark  or  Mr  Rogers. 

86 
Parker   Titcomb  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter, 
N.  H. 

Newbury  Novemb  23  1756    Madum  Gilmind 

I  would  aquaint  you  that  if  I  can  have  of  your  Beaf  as 
I  Can  have  at  newbury  which  is  12d  pr  pound  with  the 
Taler  for  the  Cash  I  shal  set  my  worke  at  Cash  prise 
and  as  for  that  Cash  I  left  with  you  for  to  by  me  sum 
Butter  I  Cant  Desier  you  to  Trobul  your  self  about  that 
only  send  me  the  money  But  if  you  have  bought  the  But- 
ter then  as  there  is  an  opertunyty  to  send  that  and  the 
beaf  tow  By  Esqr  smiths  Teeme  that  is  a  cuming  to  new- 
bury next  weeke  as  I  am  inf  ormd 

this  from  yours  to  serve  Parker  Titcomb 
my  worke  Eight  days  at  half  a  doler  pr  day  and  Expence 
—  twenty  one  shiling 

the  hole  is  10-2-0 
Madum  pleas  to  send  me  good  Beaf  if  any 

To  Ms  Mary 
Grilmon  At 
Exetur 


98  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

87 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Jany  4th  1757. 
Honord  Mad"1 

I  just  now  received  two  Letters  P  Zack  with  a  Shirt, 
two  pr  Stockings  &  pocket  Handkerchief  I  receid  10  Dol- 
lars by  Mr  Taylor  with  your  Letter,  &  answerd  it  by  Cap. 
James  —  I  have  got  my  Coat  turned  here  as  it  was  so 
much  worn  could  not  wait  any  longer. 

I  want  very  much  to  go  Exeter  but  Mr  Savage  is  not 
willing  thinging  (I  suppofe)  there  is  no  connection  be- 
tween any  Relations  befides  himfelf  &  his.  however  I 
would  not  find  fault  with  him.  — 

I  am  in  Health  and  Remain 

yr  Dutifull  Son  Joseph 

[This  note  is  written  on  the  same  sheet  and  is  to  Tris- 
tram Gilman.] 

Dear  Brother  Tuesday  3  ° 'Clock. 

I  just  now  received  yours  by  Zack  —  I  believe  Mr  Sav- 
age will  not  let  me  go  home  as  he  refusd  me  a  little  while 
ago  —  but  as  he  is  not  here  now,  I  cannot  go  to  James 
Folsom  but  you  may  depend  on  a  Letter  by  the  Post  (in 
time)  whether  he  will  come  or  not. 

Yours  &c. 

88 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  21st  Feby  1757. 
Hond  Madm 

I  have  received  none  from  you  since  my  Brother  went 
home.  —  I  expected  a  pair  Shoes  P  post,  but  he  tells  me  he 
has  brought  me  none :  mine  are  much  worn,  and  I  know  not 
what  to  do  for  a  pair ;  unlef s  I  have  ym  by  next  post.  — 
looking  over  my  Shirts  I  find  I  have  but  two  fitt  to  wear, 
p [lease]  send  me  fome  by  my  Brother,  or  I  m[ust  go] 
naked  I  want  a  good  Jacket  very  mu[ch],  my  Hat  is  very 
rusty.    Neckclothes  I  am  in  great  want  of  —  I  am  allmost 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  99 

discouragd  asking  for  Money  or  Clothes,  as  it  is  very- 
hard  to  get  Dollars  or  any  thing  else  that  will  answer 
here,  but  at  the  Tame  time  necefsity  obliges  me  to  ask  or 
go  naked. 

I  am  in  Usuall  Health  and  Remain 

Yr  Dut1  Son  Joseph. 

P.  S.    pray  remember  my  Shirts  as  I  cannot  do  without 
them  any  way. 

89 

Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman-,  Exeter, 

N.  H. 

Madra  Cambridge  9h  March  1757. 

Arriv'd  last  Night  safe  at  Cambridge  I  think  upon 
the  Whole  it  was  best  I  came  when  I  did,  Today  have  been 
to  Boston  bo't  your  Spectacles  &  Cases  &  Sermon  the 
Price  Josiah  has  — Joseph  says  Boards  in  Boston  are 
13  £  P  Thousd  but  they  will  soon  fall.  Dawes  expects  3 
Thousd  Mer*  pine  &  1  Thousd  Hemlock  which  I  told  him 
you  woud  send  him  as  soon  as  the  River  was  open  — 
Prentice  will  take  Mer1  pine  Boards,  but  then  he  dont 
want  to  buy  till  June  when  they  are  at  the  Lowest,  how- 
ever He  says  that  if  you  will  send  him  some  within  6 
Weeks  he  will  give  12  £  P  Thousd  but  don't  want  any 
clear  they  are  about  18  £  P  Thousd  — I've  discours'd  wth 
Allen  about  his  Wool  and  he  informs  me  it  is  very  uncer- 
tain whether  or  not  he  can  take  any  Boards  because  it 
was  his  Brother  who  us  'd  to  sell  the  Wool  &  he  is  dead  & 
his  Sister  will  endeavour  to  pay  some  Debts  in  Boston 
with  her  Wool,  it  was  6/3  P  m  last  Year  &  perhaps  will 
be  6/6  this  Year.  He  will  certainly  have  some  to  sell  for 
money  &  has  promis'd  me  the  first  Offer  —  I  am  better  in 
Health  I  believe  if  any  thing — 

I  am  your  dutif ull  Son      Tristram  — 

90 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  April  13th  1757. 

Hond  Madam 

I  receivd  yours  P  Mr  Taylor  with  2  fhirts  for  me  and  a 


100  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

small  Bundle  for  my  Brother,  as  also  yours  P  Cap1  James 
with  a  Guinea  which  wants  but  one  Grain  of  Weight  and 
will  pafs  for  as  much  as  if  it  wanted  nothing,  it  is  worth 
£23.6.8  your  money  Dollars  at  £5. —  I  have  got  the  Bone 
put  up  and  shall  send  it  P  James  by  whom  I  shall  write 
particularly. 

I  this  day  received  yours  P  Daniel  Gilman,  am  glad  to 
hear  you  and  Family  are  well  Candles  are  from  4/  to 
4/6  P  Box  and  sell  well. 

I  should  be  very  glad  if  you  would  fend  Mr  Dawes 
Boards  P  James,  if  you  can  get  1000  Plank  Board  Meas- 
ure or  500  Plank  Measure  he  would  be  glad  of  them. 

I  am  in  great  want  of  Neckclothes,  and  thin  Stockings 
as  Summer  is  now  approaching  and  my  Feet  sweat  so 
much  I  cant  wear  a  pair  above  two  or  three  Days  at  most. 
I  have  severall  more  old  Shirts  which  I  should  be  glad 
to  change  for  New  Ones. 

I  want  a  Handsome  Jacket  very  much  as  I  have  but 
one  which  I  have  worn  constantly  this  Year  &  half  and 
it  is  now  very  shabbed.  I  remember  you  told  me  you 
would  give  me  a  New  fuit  of  Handsome  Broad  Cloth  this 
Summer,  if  I  was  a  good  Boy,  I  think  I  have  been  pretty 
good  and  fo  expect  them. 

Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph. 

91 

Samuel  Gilman  was  the  eldest  son  of  Judge  Nicholas 
and  Sarah  (Clarke)  Gilman.  He  was  a  Captain  of 
Foot  in  1732,  justice  of  the  peace  in  1740,  judge  of  the 
Superior  Court  from  1740  to  1749,  and  Colonel  of  the 
Fourth  Regiment  of  Foot  in  1755.  This  receipt  evidently 
marks  the  end  of  his  trusteeship  for  his  brother's  chil- 
dren. 

June  ye  18tb  1757 
then  Receved  of  bro  Samuel  Gilman  fifty  Nine  Pounds 
and  one  Shilling  old  tenor  in  Part  of  what  he  was  in- 
trufted  to  Improve  for  the  benifit  of  my  Children  P  me 

Mary  Gilman 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  101 

92 
Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter, 

N.  H. 

Boston  20th  June  1757  — 

Madam  — 

According  to  my  Promise  of  the  19th  I  now  write  you 
being  at  Boston  —  I  am  forry  you  sent  me  any  Affairs 
for  my  Cloaths  as  I  did  not  expect  them  &  we  expected 
Commencement  f  ooner  than  usual  &  I  had  provided  Trim- 
ming here  —  Pray  write  me  as  soon  as  may  be  who  are 
coming  to  Commencement  —  As  to  my  Gown  You  may 
make  up  what  you  have  if  you  make  any  —  As  I  have  not 
yet  seen  my  Things  when  I  have  seen  them  I  shall  again 
write  you  —  I  am  in  health  &  in  great  Haste  Your  duti- 
full  Tristram 

P.  S.  '  Let  Josiah  give  my  Compliments  to  the  Coll11 
Family  &  invite  them  if  you  think  it  best  —  my  Love  to 
Josiah 

To  —  6/6 

Mrs  Mary  Gilman 

Six  Shillings 
for  the  Post 


In 

To  be  left  at  - 
Mr  Clarks  at 
Greenland 


Exeter 


93 

Tristram  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter, 

N.  H. 

Mafs1  Hall  June  27th  1757. 

Madam 

This  in  the  utmost  haste  by  Mr  Little  informs  you  the 
Overseers  are  going  to  set  again  tomorrow  to  vote 
whether  we  fhall  have  a  Commencement 1  or  no  &  we  are 
not  able  to  determine  whether  we  fhall  have  any  or  no. 
I  shall  write  as  soon  as  I  know — want  Nothing  but  Money 
which  I  must  have  foon,  am  at  present  as  well  as  usual. 

Your  dutifull  Son  T.  Gilman. 

P.  S.  If  we  have  Commencement  it  will  be  on  July  13th, 
I  suppose.    Love  to  Josiah,  &  Respects  to  other  Friends. 

i  Tristram  Gilman  graduated  this  year  from  Harvard. 


102  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

94 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Sep  14th  1757. 
Hond  Madam 

I  receivd  your  P  Mr  Clark,  am  glad  to  hear  you  are 
well. 

I  should  be  obliged  if  you  would  send  me  a  pr  Shoes  P 
Cap1  James,  or  P  Post  if  he  is  come  away,  as  I  want 
them  very  much. 

It  is  now  time  to  think  of  Winter  Clothes,  &  I  have  none 
by  me  —  I  should  chuse  to  have  a  good  broadcloth  rather 
than  Searge  and  for  Colr  should  chuse  a  blue  and 
Breeches  the  same  I  should  be  glad  to  have  a  black  or 
Crimson  Jacket  and  as  I  have  had  a  black  one  lately  if 
you  please  you  may  get  the  latter.  It  will  be  best  to  send 
the  Cloth  and  have  them  made  here  as  Mr  Daws  owes  me 
enough  to  pay  for  the  making  a  fuit,  please  to  send  some 
white  Tammy 1  to  Line  the  Coat  and  Jackett,  and  Buttons 
for  the  Coat  the  same  Colr  those  for  the  Jacket  I  can  get 
here.  If  there  is  no  Goods  come  in  to  Portsmouth,  I  be- 
lieve it  will  be  the  best  way  to  get  them  here  as  I  can  have 
them  much  cheaper  to  pay  in  Boards  than  wth  you  Should 
be  glad  if  you  would  let  me  know  foon  whether  I  can  have 
them  there,  for  if  I  cannot  I  must  look  out  for  them  here 
as  I  cannot  possibly  do  without  this  Winter,  I  shall  want 
a  pr  Boots  this  Winter,  I  know  not  what  to  do  for  a  pr,  if 
they  are  made  at  Exeter,  tis  ten  to  one  whether  they  fit 
me,  and  I  have  not  money  to  get  them  here.  My  Hat  is 
fairly  worn  out.  I  am  not  in  present  need  of  winter 
Stockings  as  I  have  3  or  4  pr  yarn  ones  by  me.  I  should 
be  glad  of  a  Couple  more  fine  Shirts,  I  have  one  (that 
Mr.  Prentice  of  Cambridge  left  here)  of  my  Brothers, 
which  I  should  have  fent  him  but  believe  I  stand  most  in 
need  of  it. 

I  am  in  pretty  good  Health  &  Remain 

Yr  Dutifull  Son  J.  Gilman. 

Sepr  15th 

P.  S.  I  receivd  yrs  P  Mr  Perkins,  but  could  not  fend 
any  thing  by  him  as  he  went  out  of  Town  this  morning 
and  I  am  much  hurried  wth  the  Office  businefinef s.  J.  G. 

i  Tammy  or  Taminy  was  a  light  worsted  fabric. 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  103 

95 

Capt.  Benjamin  Ives,  Col.  Robert  Hale's  son-in-law, 
was  living  in  Halifax,  N.  S.,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  De- 
cember 26,  1757.  His  wife  returned  to  her  father's  home 
and  there  spent  the  rest  of  her  life. 

Col.  Robert  Hale  to  Hon.  William  Browne,  Beverly, 
Mass. 

Beverly  Feb.  3.  1758 

Worthy  Sir 

It  is  not  improbable  but  Van-Hale  whom  you  mentioned 
to  me  when  I  had  last  the  Honour  to  wait  on  you  here 
might  be  a  descend1  from  the  first  of  our  Family  but  is 
no  proof  that  we  are  of  Dutch  extract,  but  rather  that  his 
origin  was  from  England  —  for  I  take  it  that  all  prefixes 
of  yl  kind  denote  ye  younger  branches  especially  if  you 
consider  that  there  are  at  least  two  places  in  England 
call'd  Hale  — one  in  Cornwall,  the  other  a  little  above 
Liverpool  —  but  I  look  on  our  name  to  be  of  far  greater 
Antiquity  than  either  the  Dutch  or  English  nation  — 
vid  — 2  Chron.  17.7  — there  you  find  Ben-hail  (or  as  it  is 
fince  corrupted  Ben-hale)  the  chief es  of  King  Jehosa- 
phat's  princes  —  now  you  know  that  Ben  in  Hebrew  is 
the  fame  as  Van  or  Mac,  Fitz  or  Son  in  Dutch,  Scotch, 
French  or  English — whence  it  appears  that  even  this 
Prince  was  a  Cadet  only  of  our  Tribe  &  tho'  I  can't  tell 
the  intermediate  parts  of  Succefsion,  — yet  'tis  as  certain 
as  if  I  fhou'd  call  by  name  every  link  of  the  chain  — I 
take  it  ours  is  by  this  account  the  most  antient  Family 
extant  in  the  univerfe  for  as  Jehosaphat  livd  Anno  Mundi 
3090,  we  can  tell  of  one  of  our  Stock  who  flourifh'd  about 
2600  years  ago  —  indeed  it  does  not  appear  to  wc  of  the 
tribes  he  belong'd— but  as  he  was  doubtlefs  of  Judah  or 
Benjamin,  I  question  not  (as  the  Jews  were  very  careful 
of  their  Genealogies)  but  fome  of  them  might  be  found 
who  cou'd,  ftep  by  ftep,  trace  up  this  Princes  Original 
even  to  the  Patriarch  Jacob  &  then  you  know,  we  are  cer- 
tain of  every  one  of  his  progenitors  even  to  Adam  — Be- 
sides, 'tis  very  pofsible  they  may  be  as  well  acquainted 
with  the  defcending  part  of  the  line  'till  fome  at  least 
of  the  Family  fettled  in  Scotland— For  there  is  no  doubt 


104  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

but  that  Country  was  at  first  peopled  by  the  Ions  of  Israel ; 
as  may  be  gathered  from  their  abhorrence  of  Swine's 
flesh  &  their  wearing  no  Breeches  in  ye  Highland  parts 
even  to  this  day,  not  to  mention  their  coats  of  many  col- 
ours, fuch  as  Jacob  made  for  his  fon  Joseph,  nor  many 
other  things  in  which  they  Symbolize  with  their  fam'd 
Ancestors  of  old  —  Some  one  of  thefe  I  fuppose  emi- 
grated to  Liverpool  &  gave  name  to  the  Village  near  it 
who  retaind  the  Name  with  the  variation  only  from  Hail 
to  Hale,  while  a  very  considerable  number  of  them  con- 
tinu'd  in  the  North,  who  to  this  time  have  no  farther  cor- 
rupted it  than  to  write  Haye  instead  of  Hail  which  is  very 
inconsiderable,  f ince  tis  only  fuppref sing  the  terminating 
letter  wc  is  common  with  many  nations  to  do  when  it  is 
a  consonant  &  then  it  founds  exactly  as  Haye  —  this  last, 
you  are  well  inform 'd  is  a  very  numerous  (as  well  as  a 
Noble  Family)  in  North  Britain,  &  to  them  I  am  proud 
to  be  nearly  related — I  doubt  not  (so  numerous  are  your 
Family  &  ours)  (I  mean  the  Hayes)  but  upon  a  very  little 
fearch  you  will  find  fome  branches  of  them  united  —  I 
afsure  you  Sir  if  so,  I  fhall  be  no  lefs  pleas 'd  with  an 
account  of  that  alliance  than  with  being  able  to  tell  the 
names  of  every  one  of  my  ancestors  in  the  male  line  (for 
fuch  I  certainly  had)  even  up  to  the  great  Protoplast  of 
us  all  — I  fubfcribe  myfelf,  Sir,  (upon  this  prefumption,) 
your  most  affect0  Kinsman  & 

humble  Servant 
Rob1  Hale 


96 
Hon.  William  Browne  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly, 
Mass. 

Dear  Sir. 

Your  Obligeing  Letter  refpecting  the  Pedigree  of  the 
Ben-hails,  vel  Van-hales  &cth  reached  my  hands  this  cold 
morn  with  as  sparkling  a  countinance  as  a  mug  of  Warm 
Old  Syder  could  pofsibly  show,  and  was  as  refrefhing  to 
me,  as  that  would  have  been  to  a  market  man  just  at 
break  of  day.     That  you  &  I  are  Related  to  each  other  is 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  105 

a  Matter  beyond  difpute;  but  as  it  took  Mr  Warburton 
three  years  continual  Application  in  joining  the  Links  of 
the  Chain  of  the  Bryun's,  Brun's,  Brayn's,  Bryn's, 
Bruin's,  Bruens,  Brum's,  Brent's,  Brown's,  Brownings, 
Brownlow's,  Brownrig's  &cth  &cth  &cth  pray  how  long  a 
time  must  it  take  me  to  Link  to  this  Chain  The  Ben-hails, 
Von-hales,  Hayes  &cth.  you  certainly  Judged  right  Sr  in 
applying  to  me  to  Clofe  this  Chain  for  you,  for  had  you 
applied  to  Mr  Warburton  he  would  have  deceived  you,  be- 
ing but  a  fresh  man  in  Rabbinical  learning  &  quite  Unac- 
quainted with  the  Endlefs  Genealogys  mentioned  by  Sl 
Paul,  you  may  depend  upon  it,  that  I  shall  make  a  thor- 
ough search  in  my  Office,  in  order  to  gratify  your  curiof ity 
&  my  own  Vanity  in  haveing  a  real  title  to  Subscribe  my- 
self for  the  future  —  Your  Ever  Loveing  Cof sen 
Beverley  Feb :  4th  1758  till  Death  — 

W  Browne 

97 
John  Choate  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass. 

February  13th  1758 
Dear  Sir 

When  I  meet  you  the  other  day  you  told  me  you  Should 
be  here  Sum  time  on  tuesday.  I  have  fpoke  to  Coll0  Ap- 
pelton  to  be  at  home  as  you  defired  And  beg  Leave  to 
Expect  you  in  time  to  dine  with  me. 

If  you  have  Aney  good  News  Pray  bring  it  with  you  for 
we  have  none  here  and  are  in  grait  want. 

your  Humble  Srvt 

John  Choate1 

98 
A  Petition  to  Col.  Robert  Hale  2  from  Judith  Adams. 

Honoured  Sir  after  most  humbe  &  penitent  Confession 
for  all  my  past  misconduct  &  abufe  to  my  fellow  Crea- 

i  Hon.  John  Choate,  of  Ipswich,  1697-1765,  was  Justice  of  Sessions  and 
of  Probate  Court  and  was  on  the  Governor's  Council  from  1761-1765. 
2  Col.  Eobert  Hale  was  justice  of  the  peace  in  Beverly. 


106  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

tures  of  whome  I  ask  ten  Thoufand  pardons,  hoping  and 
desireing  I  shall  Tome  time  or  other  be  able  to  make 
amends  which  I  Shall  readily  Embrace,  &  trust  &  hope 
for  —  but  as  the  Cafe  is  now  Curcumstanced  with  me,  I 
Cannot  do  anything  towards  ye  Same,  being  now  Con- 
fined In  a  dark  &  Loathsome  —  Goal,  which  tho :  hard  in 
it  Self,  is  a  lefs  punishment  than  my  Crimes  deserve,  for 
I  acknowledge  I  have  led  a  bad  life  in  times  past,  &  have 
been  guilty  of  many  &  bad  crimes,  for  fome  of  which  I 
have  been  deited  &  punnished,  but  I  hope  &  Trust  I  have 
Seen  the  Evil  of  my  ways,  &  will  do  the  utmost — that 
lyes  in  my  power,  by  the  help  of  him  who  Governs  and 
over  rules  all  affairs,  for  the  futer  to  live  a  fober  honest 
and  Regular  life,  &  Desire  the  prayers  of  all  good  people 
for  me,  that  I  may  be  inabled  f o  to  do.  —  Honoured  fir  I 
beg  this  favour  that  I  might  have  the  opportunity  to  dis- 
courfe  with  you,  &  that  you  would  take  my  deplorable 
Cafe  &  Curcumstances  into  Consideration,  &  if  possible  to 
Relieve  me  in  fome  measure  (if  not  in  the  whole)  fo  that 
I  might  [torn]  wholly  Confind  here,  pray  fir  give  a  lis- 
tning  ear  to  my  poor  distresed  Cafe,  &  beg  leave  to  fub- 
scribe  your  Honours  penitent 

Humbe  &  distrefed  Serv1 
Salem  Goal  April  10th  1758  Judith  Adams 

P :  S :    I  Shall  be  intirely  willing  to 
Conform  to  any  rules  &  meafures  you  Shall 
think  proper  to  propofe  on  my  behalf  — 
To  Robert  Hale  Esqr 

99 

A  few  of  the  bills  that  passed  between  Mrs.  Gilman 
and  her  son  may  be  interesting  on  account  of  the  articles 
and  prices.  It  is  very  evident  that  the  products  of  the 
farm  and  possibly  of  a  saw-mill  were  bartered  in  Boston 
for  the  family  maintenance. 

Boston  June  7  1758 
Invoice  of  a  parcell  of  Pewter  belonging  to  Wm  T. 
Kilby  &  Joseph  Gilman  in  the  hands  of  Cap  Joseph  Frost 
in  New  Castle  and  is  to  be  deliverd  to  Mrs  Mary  Gilman 
of  Exeter  — 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  107 

viz 

Lawfull  Money 

2  Tea  Pots  with  Legs  at  4/4 £0.  .8.  8 

1  ditto . .  .without  d° 0.  4  . . 

8  Bafons  weigh6  10  :lb  10oz  at  l/7y . . .  0.16.111/, 

3  doz  Plates. . .  .30lb at  1/7%. . .   2.  8.  9 

13  Dishes 30:  2        at  d°. . . . . .  2.  9.10 

y2  doz.  pad  Locks 0.  4  . .       £6.12.2y2 

is  in  Old  Tenor £49.11.6 


100 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Tristram  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Oeto  10.  1758 
Dear  Bror 

I  yesterday  recd  yours  P  M(  [torn]  B[torn]  I  am  very 
glad  to  hear  you  enjoy  a  good  f  [torn]  of  Health,  &  am 
obliged  to  you  for  informing  me  of  it  —  I  rose  this  morn- 
ing af  soon  as  it  was  light  that  I  might  gain  a  little  time  to 
write  you,  for  neglecting  which  by  severall  of  the  last 
[torn] 

This  waits  on  you  by  my  old  Friend  Docr  Lampson,  by 
whom  I  shall  fend  Mr  Edwards  Book  if  he  can  convenient- 
ly carry  it  —  All  I  can  say  about  your  Letter  to  Barret 
you  sent  last  Winter,  is,  that  I  have  been  carefull  to  de- 
liver all  your  Letters  immediately  on  my  re[ceiving] 
them,  yours  to  Mr  Chardon  have  deld  him  —  Mr  Edward 's 
Book  was  printed  off  before  I  recd  yours  fo  had  not  opp° 
to  fubscribe,  but  got  it  at  the  fame  price  viz  a  Dollar  — 

Mr  Prentice  has  paid  Cap  Stedman,  &  I  only  wait  for 
his  rec1  (which  he  says  he  will  bring  the  next  time  he 
comes  to  Town)  to  repay  him  —  My  next  by  Mrs  Rogers 
who  will  go  out  of  town  the  beginning  of  next  week  by 
whom  I  shall  fend  your  Copys ;  if  they  are  not  finishd  to 
fend  by  this  opp° 

I  remain  your  Loving  Brother  Joseph  Gilman 

P  S  I  have  been  at  Mr  Kneelands  to  enquire  about  the 
other  Book  you  write  you  Subscribed  for,  there  is  feveral 
Sermons  lately  published  by  Mr  Belle  [torn]  half  a  [torn] 
is  not  among  the  Subscribers,  if  this  is  the  Book  you 
mean  please  to  write  me  &  I'll  procure  it —         Yrs  J  G 


108  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

101 

From  this  letter  we  suppose  that  Joseph  Gilman  was 
at  one  time  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  lodges  of  Free 
Masons  which  were  formed  in  Boston  about  1733. 

Joseph  Gridley  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Boston,  Mass. 

Halifax  12th  January  1759 
Brother  Gilman 

To  you  I  write,  as  Supposeing  that  Honour  (which  was 
Justly  Confurd  on  you,  when  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being 
one  of  the  Craft  &  under  your  Direction  &  Command)  is 
Still  in  Continueance,  I  therefore  Greet  you  with  that 
Love  Obedience,  &  Affection  Due  from  an  Inferior  Mem- 
ber, to  One  who  is  Invested  wth  that  power  which  your 
Merit  Greatly  Adorns  — 

Your  Presidency  will  Excuse  my  Neglect  of  writing 
which  t  call  my  Duty,  and  pray  let  this  Neglect  be  Intire- 
ly  Obliterated,  as  it  was  not  Commitd  for  want  of  Love, 
Affection  &  Due  Esteem,  but  be  Afsured,  my  Breast  Con- 
tains as  much  of  this  towards  you  &  the  Fraternity,  as 
you  or  they  Can  Expect,  notwithstands  I  havnt  the  pleas- 
ure of  Renewing  it  Weekly  — 

I  hope  you  have  brought  matters  in  Due  form  &  Regu- 
lation, as  also  that  that  Brotherly  Love  which  is  our  Pro- 
fession is  Still  predominate  in  the  Hearts  of  each  one. 
My  Hurry  of  Businef  s,  will  not  permitt  me  to  be  Lengthy 
upon  any  Occafsion.  therefore  I  beg  you  will  Excuse  the 
Brevity  of  Dear  President  — 

Your  AfYectnt  Brother 
Pray  my  Love  to  the  Brethren  Jo :  Gridley 

Mr  Joseph  Gilman 

102 
John  Choate  to  Col.  Robekt  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass. 

February  27,  1759 
Dear  Sir  Your  faveour  of  yefterday  is  fo  full  of  matter 
good  fence  and  frendfhip  yt  it  deferves  a  fuller  anfwer 
and  acknoledgement  then  the  Crowd  of  people  I  have 
about  me  will  allow  me  to  Give.  My  letters  went  to  bof- 
ton  a  day  or  two  before  yours  was  fent  you.    I  wrote  ye 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  109 

left  Gou  about  Coll°  Gerrish,  tho  I  dare  not  mention  him 
to  ye  Gouv  and  thought  I  had  told  you  so  in  my  letter.  I 
had  in  two  days  ye  left  Gouv  Answer  It  was  the  fame  you 
tell  me  he  wrote  to  you.  I  am  Exceeding  forry  the  Gen- 
tilman  we  boath  Named  feems  at  prefent  obnoxious  as  I 
agree  with  you  fir  yl  he  would  best  anfwer  the  End  you 
f peak  of  and  make  ye  Country  that  way  eaf y.  I  thankfully 
obf erve  your  Coufan x  for  my  better  peace  and  Comfort 
in  the  Court  and  hope  your  Kind  Indevours  to  promote  it 
will  meet  with  fufefs. 

I  am  told  from  marble  Head  yl  Mr  Hooper  pretty  safe 
unlefs  brother  dolton  Can  have  it,  but  yt  Mr  Bowe  who 
has  been  at  bofton  is  preffered  to  any  by  ye  gouy  I  am 
glad  to  hear  you  are  Coming  this  way  hope  it  will  Not  be 
long,  Mr  Wood  is  going 

I  muft  Clofe  and  am  Your  Obedent 

Humble  frvt  and  friend 
John  Choate 

103 
A  Bill 

Dr  Mrs  Mary  Gilman  To  Joseph  Gilman 

Octo  11  To  Balla  of  Ace1  fent  by  Mr.  Rogers . .     £19.19.  .0 

Nov  18  To  1  Muff £2.10.  0 

d°  1  doz  Porringers 2.  5.  -  4.15  — 


1759  Feby  6  To  1  box  Spectacles 1.  4  — 

To  Cafh  lent  you  when  at 
Exeter  June  6.  1757  £12 
Hampe  Curry 4.10. . 


30.  8.  0 


To  Cash  pd  Mr Alif on  for  mendg  fhirts 

&  Stockings  to  Jany  19. 1759  £  3.12.  9 
pd  for  3%  yas  Cloth  @  8.8/ 

&  5  yds  Shalloon  at  18/ 36. 

pd  for  mending  Shoes 0.10  — 

for  a  pr  Boots  4  Dollrs 9 

li/2  yas  Flannell  @  18/ 1.  7.  0       50.  9.  9 


80.17.  9 


i  Caution. 


110  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

To  3  papers  Ink  Powder  @  6/  £  0.18.  0 
6  Spelling  Books  @  7/6. . .  2.  5.— 
1  Box  Spectacles 1.  5. —        4.  8.- 


£85.  5.  9 

To  Y>  doz.  f mall  Porringers  at  7/6 2.  5. — 

y2  doz  blood  d° 3/9 1.  2.  6 

l16  Knitting  Needles  forted 0.14.— 

1  bag  paint 0.  2.  0 

Curse  Cowardice 0.  3.  6 

3  doz  Corks  @  3/ 0.  9.  0 

Cabbage  Teed 0.  9.  6        1.  4.  0 


£90.11.  3 


Credit  brought  forwd £  8.  0.  0 

March  15  By  Ballance  due  to  Joseph  Gilman- 
Carrd  to  the  Debit  of 
Mrs  Mary  Gilmans  New  Ace1  82.11.  3 


£90.11.  3 

Boston  March  15th  1759  

Errors  &  Excepted  Joseph  Gilman 

104 

Bofton  Novemr  2a  1759 
Ace*  Sundry  Goods  sent  Mrs  Mary  Gilman  P  Cap1  Dudley 
James  viz  — 

i/2  Doz  Pint  Basons £  1.17.  6 

V>  Hobbs 0.  9.  0 

V>  14  Oz  Tax 0.  7.  0 

y2  doz  coarse  Sieves 2. 

Loaves  Sugar  S8y4lh  @  6/6 12.  8.  7 

6lb  Whalebone  @  48/ 14.  8.— 

21/,  doz  Tiles  (a)  28/ 3.10.— 

1  6z  Thread  N°  60 3.  6.— 

1  doz  midg  black  Beads 0.12. — 

6  Silk  Laces  @  5/6 1.13.— 

1  pe  black  Shoe  binding 0.18. — 

7  Oz  Isinglaf s 1.  6. — 

42.15.  1 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  111 

Tagging  3  Laces 0.  1.  8 

Porterage  3.  3 

0  Tenor    £43.  0.— 


Lawfull  Money         £5.14.  8 

105 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Tristram  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bofton  12th  October  1759 

Dear  Brother 

Doubtlefs  before  this  reaches  you,  you  will  hear  of  the 
furrender  of  Canada  to  the  Britifh  army.  A  vefsel  ar- 
rived here  this  morning  in  feven  days  from  Louifburg. 
The  Mafter  informs  that,  the  15th  September  Gen1  Wolfe 
with  five  thoufand  men  engaged  Monfr  Levy  with  fifteen 
thoufand,  about  3  miles  from  their  intrenchments.  Our 
army  received  three  Fires  from  the  Enemy  before  they 
returned  any.  Our  firft  fire  was  general  and  very  heavy, 
put  the  French  cavalry  in  great  confuf ion  —  they  being 
in  front  drove  back  on  the  infantry  &  by  that  means  broke 
their  Lines— &  put  them  all  to  flight.  Our  people  purfued 
them  fo  clofely  that  when  they  jumped  into  their  trenches, 
our  men  leaped  on  their  backs  &  by  Sword  &  Bayonet 
foon  cleared  the  trenches,  and  drove  the  enemy  into  the 
city.  The  brave  Gen1  Wolfe  is  killed.  He  received  two 
wounds  before  he  received  his  mortal  one  which  was 
through  the  Heart.  He  lived  to  fee  the  Trenches  cleared 
holding  his  Bowells  in  with  his  hand  &  fpiriting  up  his 
men.  All  the  officers  give  him  the  greateft  character. 
He  was  but  twenty-eight  years  old  as  I  hear.1 

I  have  not  yet  heard  the  particulars.  An  Exprefs 
failed  from  Louifburg  for  this  place  thirty  hours  before 
this  vefsel  sailed,  but  is  not  yet  arrived.  Coll0  Monckton 
has  loft  his  nofe  and  is  wounded  in  the  Bowells.  He  was 
the  f  econd  in  command.  Townf  end,  on  account  of  his  being 
difabled,  has  taken  command.  Vaudreuil  furrendered 
the  city  and  Canada  on  the  terms  propofed  by  Townfend, 
what  t'hofe  terms  are,  I  cannot  tell.     'Tis  faid  we  loft  five 

i  General  Wolfe  was  nearly  thirty-four. 


112  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

hundred  men,  and  the  French  fifteen  hundred.  Tuefday 
next  in  the  forenoon  Religious  exercifes  are  to  be  per- 
formed in  the  feverall  churches  in  Town,  —  in  the  after- 
noon the  militia  railed  —  in  the  Evening  the  Town  Illu- 
minated. Your  Loving  Brother  J  Gilman 

106 
John  Choate  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass. 

Defember  3d  1759 
Dear  fir 

finding  by  your  Last  letter  yt  all  I  had  faid  in  mine  had 
not  Relieved  your  disponding  Apprehentions  with  Re- 
fpect  to  the  french,  their  one  day  prevailing  in  their  de- 
fign  of  univerele  monarchy,  I  fend  you  Doctor  Mayhews 
two  Sermons  on  ocation  of  our  Late  fucfeses  to  See  what 
they  Can  do  upon  you.  It  would  Sir  be  as  vaine  as 
Needlef s  for  me  to  make  aney  Remarks  on  them  to  a  per- 
son of  your  uncomon  defernment,  but  I  Can  hardly  help 
acquainting  you  of  one  of  my  wifes  making,  tho  fhe  fell- 
dom  makes  I  mean  exprefes  aney  as  aney  mans  works. 

As  I  was  the  other  Evening  Reading  to  her  that  part 
of  his  Second  Sermon  where  he  fancies  to  him  felfe  that 
the  Reduction  of  all  Canada  will  be  allmost  the  Certin 
Consequences  of  taking  Quebeck,  and  that  Numerous 
Kingdoms  and  a  moft  Extensive  Empire  would  groo  up 
here  as  a  part  of  this  Conqueft  She  Could  not  help  Ex- 
prefsing  her  aftonishment  at  the  Docters  indiscretion  in 
mentioning  fuch  tender  points  with  fo  very  little  Gard. 
But  when  I  Came  to  what  he  by  a  foul  of  prophecey  fays 
Relating  to  the  fuller  Joyes  of  futer  Ages  on  this  ocation 
and  introdufes  the  old  Sire  as  informing  his  Son  at  3  or 
400  hundred  years  hence  of  this  Event  that  happened  us 
many  years  before,  fhe  faid  it  Reminded  her  of  an  old 
weaver  fhe  had  heard  of  who  in  a  like  mood  of  fanciing 
as  he  fatt  in  his  loome  fell  aCrying  and  being  asked  the 
Reson  faid  it  was  becaufe  he  Emagined  that  his  dafghter 
would  Play  the  whore  and  have  a  Child  and  that  the  Child 
would  Run  under  his  loome  and  that  as  his  fhuttle  was 
Runing  the  thread  would  brake  and  the  fhuttele  fall  down 
and  with  its  picked  end  putt  out  one  of  the  Childs  Eyes. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  113 

you  will  Eafily  fee  fir  yt  the  Effects  on  thefe  two  Gentile- 
mens  mind  was  as  different  as  Joye  and  Sorrow  is  But 
yet  as  the  principles,  affections  and  probability  of  boath 
where  much  the  fame  the  Comparaf on  may  be  prety  Good, 
tho  in  fum  other  parts  of  ye  performance  I  think  many 
warriours  and  very  few  preachers  Could  have  Equaled 
the  doctor  in  the  Judment  of  your  most  obliged  frind 
and  very  Humble  Svt  John  Choate 

Coll0  Hale 

107 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  June  2d,  1760. 

Hond  Madm 

Yours  P  Mr  Rogers  came  safe  to  hand  &  of  him  I  recd 
five  Dollars  tho  he  tells  me  he  is  not  certain  they  are  for 
me.  I  should  have  been  at  Exeter  the  beginning  of  last 
M°  but  was  prevented  by  Mr  Savage's  being  sick  he  is 
now  so  well  as  to  be  out  and  I  expect  to  see  you  in  about 
a  Week.  I  should  be  much  obligd  to  you  if  you  would  col- 
lect as  much  money  for  me  as  you  can  conveniently  by  the 
time  I  come  up  as  I  shall  stand  in  need  of  £700  or  800£ 
this  old  tenor  which  I  cannot  pof  sibly  do  without.  Three 
of  our  London  Ships  arrived  here  last  week  and  two  more 
are  daily  expected  which  will  be  an  advantage  to  me  as 
Goods  were  pretty  scarce  before  the  arrival  of  these 
Ships  —  I  am  sorry  the  Cart  boxes  are  too  fmall,  I  was 
afraid  they  were  too  large  —  I  will  send  you  a  sett  larger 
P  first  vefsell  there  must  be  some  mistake  in  the  price 
of  the  pans  you  mention  at  least  I  cannot  buy  them  so 
now  by  the  Ton.  The  price  of  a  large  Bible  without  the 
Apochrypha  is  £9,  0  T    the  peas  I  sent  cost  5/ 

I  remain  with  love  to  my  Brothers 

Your  Dutifull  Son  Joseph  Gilman. 

108 
In  Boston  Vital  Statistics  in  the  "Intentions  of  Mar- 
riage" we  find  "Joseph  Gilman  and  Jane  Tyler,  July 
31, 1760."    In  the  "Marriages"  is  the  date  of  their  mar- 


114  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

riage,  August  14,  1760.  Joseph  Gilman  was  twenty-two 
at  the  time.  This  record  has  been  found  since  the  pub- 
lication of  the  Noyes-Gilman  Ancestry. 

This  letter  evidently  should  have  been  dated  1760-1 
and  they  had  been  married  about  six  months.  It  seems 
strange  that  anyone  who  was  in  later  life  so  accurate  as 
Joseph  Gilman  should  have  made  so  many  mistakes  in 
writing,  spelling  and  dating  as  he  did  in  his  younger  days. 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Tristram  Gilman. 

Dear  Brother  Boston  Feby  7th  1760 

I  should  have  wrote  you  by  last  Post,  but  expected  Mr 
Fowle  would  have  gone  out  of  Town  before  this  time 
my  Jenny  is  now  launching  into  the  eternal  World  She 
looks  on  Death  as  a  friend  rather  than  Foe,  as  it  carries 
her  to  her  God  &  Saviour  who  is  dearer  to  her  than  any 
her  dearest  relatives  in  this  world,  she  tells  me  she  can 
part  with  me  with  pleasure,  tho'  she  dearly  loves  me,  to 
go  to  Christ  who  is  far  better  —  I  am  now  my  Dear 
Brother  in  the  School  of  Affliction  I  beg  your  prayers  that 
God  would  instruct  me  in  it  &  carry  me  thro '  it,  tis  hard 
my  Brother,  tis  very  hard  to  bear,  but  I  beg  &  desire  that 
I  may  be  able  to  resign  her  to  God,  who  gave  her  to  me  — 
I  cant  write  particularly,  'tis  too  much  for  my  weak  mind 
to  bear,  I  desire  you  would  give  my  Duty  with  my  Jennys 
to  Mother,  I  should  have  wrote  her  by  this  opportunity 
but  am  not  able  thro'  distrefs  of  mind — There  is  no  dan- 
ger of  the  small  Pox  in  Town  now  tho'  twas  generally 
tho't  it  would  spread  sometime  ago  —  I  hope  you  have 
recd  the  Chest  of  Goods  of  Mr  Fowle  as  he  tells  me  he  gave 
Orders  to  his  wife  to  deliver  it,  please  to  examin  the  contts 
&  see  that  it  agrees  with  the  Invoice  I  sent  you  —  if  you 
have  not  already  recd  it  I  beg  you  would  make  no  delay  as 
Mr  F  has  a  particular  Charge  to  deliver  them  from  Mr 
Flucker  —  my  Jenny  gives  her  kindest  love  to  you  & 
Brother  Josiah,  and  hopes  to  meet  you  in  the  happy 
realms  of  Light  where  perfect  Friendship  &  happinef s  is 
tasted  without  any  alloy —  I  am  your  Aff ectte 

Brother  Joseph 


IN  LETTEBS  AND  DOCUMENTS  115 

109 

Col.  Peter  Gilman  lost  his  second  wife,  Dorothy  (Sher- 
burne, Byrnes,  Kogers)  Taylor,  as  the  following  letter 
tells,  in  1761,  when  he  was  fifty-eight  years  old,  and  very 
soon  afterwards  consoled  himself  by  marrying  a  widow 
for  the  third  time,  Mrs.  Moses  Prince  (Jane  Bethune) 
of  Boston.  Mrs.  Prince  had  a  son,  Samuel,  and  two 
daughters,  Jane  and  Deborah.  When  Mrs.  Prince  be- 
came Mrs.  Peter  Gilman,  her  daughter  Jane  was  al- 
ready engaged  to  Rev.  Chandler  Bobbins,  of  Plymouth, 
and  they  were  married  on  October  8,  1761,  probably  at 
Col.  Peter's  home,  the  old  Gilman  Garrison  House. 

Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass. 

Dear  brothr  Exeter  Febry  2d  1761. 

This  Brings  you  the  Sorrowfull  news  of  the  Death  of 
my  Dear  wife  She  Departed  this  Life  Sabath  Evening 
the  25  Janry  and  is  gone  I  Trust  To  keep  an  Everlasting 
Sabaoth  with  our  Glorious  Bedemer.  She  was  always 
Pleasant  in  Life  and  Befigd  To  Gods  will  in  death  and  is 
now  hapy  I  Trust  with  the  Lord.  But  Dr  Brothr  the 
waves  Bole  heavy  over  me  I  am  the  man  of  Sorrow  and 
acquainted  with  Greaf  I  mourn  Like  a  dove  the  abfense 
of  my  Dear  mate  but  ah  She  Gone  for  Ever  Gone  no  more 
her  Cherfull  Countenance  to  Befresh  my  fainting  Sprrit 
Adieu  my  Dr  Brothr  pray  o  pray  for  your  poor 

Depresd  Aflicted  &  very  Sorrowfull  Broth1- 

Peter  Gilman 

P  S  my  Duty  To  mother *  who  I  Trust  heartly  sim- 
pathizes  with  me  under  my  affliction  &  Love  To  Sister 
yr  as  above 

110 

Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Col.  Bobert  Hale,  Beverly,  Mass. 

Dr  Brothr  Ipfwich  Sepr  9tb  1761 

I  have  but  Just  Time  To  Tell  you  That  I  am  Lately 
married  To  Mrs  Prince  of  Boston  a  very  agreeable  Lady 

i  Mrs.  John  Gilman,  who  had  been  Mrs.  Robert  Hale,  Sr. 


116  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

and  am  now  In  my  way  home  I  Trust  I  shall  be  again 
happy  in  That  Relation  —  pleaf e  To  pref ent  my  Duty  To 
Mother  &  Sister  and  Accept  the  Same  from  your 

affectionate  Brothr  &c 

Peter  Gilman 

111 

As  Josiah  Gilman  had  now  attained  his  majority  and 

Joseph  had  made  a  beginning  in  commerce,  they  returned 

to  Exeter  and  entered  into  partnership  with  Nathaniel 

Folsom.     They  had  a  general  store  in  Exeter.     Their 

advertisement,  as  preserved  in  the  Gilman  Genealogy, 
shows  a  varied  assortment  of  goods,  "  Crimson,  fcarlet, 

black,  blue  &  cloth  color 'd  Broad  Cloths,  Baize,  Plufhes, 
Swanfkins,  Velvets,  Ratteens,  Allapeens,  Tandems, 
Bibles,  Felt,  Caftor,  Beaveret  &  Beaver  Hatts,  Chizzelles, 
Tea  Kittells,  Hour  Glaffes,  Weft  India  Rum,  Molafses, 
Bohea  Tea,  Lamp  Oyl  &c  &c  &c." 1  As  we  shall  see  later, 
they  also  did  an  exporting  and  importing  business  in  sail- 
ing vessels. 

Memorandum    of    agreement   between    Nath    Folsom 
Joseph  &  Josiah  Gilman  Octo  19  1761  — 

1.  We  agree  to  put  in  equal  Stock  and  each  to  draw  an 
equall  proportion  of  Profitts  or  to  sustain  equally  the 
Lofses  which  may  accrue  while  we  are  in  Partnership. 

2.  We  agree  that  the  Partnership  shall  subsist  for  Seven 
Years  neither  of  us  to  leave  the  Company  in  lef  s  time 
unlef  s  either  of  us  should  remove  out  of  Town.  — 

3.  We  agree  that  neither  of  us  shall  carry  on  any  sep- 
erate  private  Businefs  in  Trade  either  in  or  out  of 
Town.  With  regard  to  any  sheemes  of  consequence, 
such  as  Bargains,  Contracts,  Building  of  Ships,  or 
venturing  to  Sea  shall  not  be  prosecuted  by  any  one 
of  the  Company  without  the  full  consent  of  the  other 
two.  Nathel  Folsom 

Joseph  Gilman 
Jofiah  Gilman 

i  Gilman  Genealogy   (1869),  87. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  117 

112 

Col.  Robert  Hale  had  at  this  time  living  with  him  at 
Beverly,  his  mother,  Mrs.  John  Gilman  ;  his  second  wife, 
Elizabeth  (Clarke)  Hale,  and  his  widowed  daughter,  Mrs. 
Benjamin  Ives,  with  her  two  children,  Robert  Hale  Ives, 
aged  seventeen  and  Rebecca  Ives,  fifteen.  Rebecca  vis- 
ited in  the  home  of  her  half-uncle,  Samuel  Gilman,  Jr.,  at 
Exeter,  where  there  was  a  daughter,  Sarah,  of  her  own 
age.  The  jokes  in  these  letters  are  about  Joseph  Gil- 
man, whom  Rebecca  married  in  September,  1763.  Sarah 
Gilman  married  Joseph's  younger  brother,  Josiah,  two 
months  later. 

Samuel  Gilman,  Jr.,  to   Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly, 

JV/fogg 

Newbury  Oct°  27th  1761 

Dear  Bror 

I  thank  you  for  yr  kind  favr  Last  week,  &  Perticularly 
for  yr  fine  complem*  on  my  Daughter  wch  I  can  Return 
with  the  utmost  Sincerity  on  yr  Amiable  Grandaughter 
with  whom  we  Parted  allmost  with  tears ;  but  as  I  am  not 
alltogether  free  from  ensuasiam  Sompthing  within  (as 
the  Quakers  say)  tells  me  She  will  one  Day  be  near  me, 
&  very,  very  happy !  I'll  say  no  more  at  Prefent,  heaven 
Blefs  you  my  Dear  Brr  &  Excufe  my  adding  as  'tis  all- 
most  five  of  the  Clock  &  Bound  home  this  Night,  Pray 
Deliver  the  Enclos'd  to  our  Dear  mother,  &  Mrs  Phillips, 
as  one  Letter  is  from  my  wife  the  other  from  my  Daugh- 
ter—  Accept  the  Regards  of  Both,  as  well  as  all  Pofsiable 
affection  from  Yr  Very,  Very,  Affectionate  Brother, 

Sam1  Gilman  jr  — 
y°  know  I  am  apt  to  talk  of  things  Long  before  I  Put 
them  in  Execution,  I  therefore  tell  you,  on  the  word  of  a 
Newhamp6  man  that  I  Intend,  you  a  Vif  sit  between  this 
&  the  Year  one  thouf 'd  Seven  hundred  &  sixty  two  Vale 
P.  S.    I  came  f r°  home  y2  after  ten  — 

I  Long  more  to  see  y°  then  Ever,  Pray  supply  ye  want 
of  seeing  y°  by  yr  most  kind  &  agreeable  Epistles  —  I 
wont  tell  y°  I'm  in  the  utmost  hurry 

yrs  ut  supraa  S  G 


118  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

113 
Samuel  Gilman,  Jr.,  to  Col.  Robert  Hale,  Beverly, 

Mass. 

Newbury  11th  Decr  1761  — 
Dear  Brother, 

I've  but  Just  time  here  to  Inform  you  for  the  Satis- 
faction of  our  Dear  mother  that  I  Left  all  well  at  home 
this  morning  &  hope  to  find  them  so  this  Evening  tho' 
had  I  known  it  wou'd  have  been  so  cold  before  I  came 
from  home,  Shou'd  not  have  Attempted  It  this  Day  — 
we've  nothing  New,  health  &  Peace  thro'  the  Divine 
Favor  attends  us,  —  I  Enclose  a  Letter  to  your  Amiable 
from  the  Cabinet  Counceller  who  [takes]  her  Pen  &  Ink 
as  soon  as  She  hears  I  [torn]ound  this  way,  as  It  con- 
tains a  whole  Sheet  Suppose  It  contains  matters  of  Im- 
portance In  Love  affairs,  &  when  I  Request  a  Sight  of 
her  Scribling  I  am  Anfwar'd  with  a  Pray  Sir,  'tis  only 
a  Line  to  Cousin  Becca  &c,  &  mr  is  allways  at  hand  to  Syth 
to  her  or  Enquire  News  —  I  am  my  Dear  Br°  with  my 
Duty  to  my  mother,  my  Complemts  to  Sifter,  Mrs  Ives,  & 
Mrs  Beca,  yr  Very  affec1  Bror  Sam1  Gilman  — 

mr  Joseph  Gilman  had  a  Vefsell  Arriv'd  in  wch  he  was 
a  Ql  Concern 'd  in  Good  Safty  fr°  S4  Kitts  Last  week,  all 
that  know  him  Love  him  &  can  but  Rejoyce  at  his  Pros- 
perity—  he  has  too  much  Senfe  to  mention  any  thing  of 
Bufinefs  in  Good  company  —  Vale  S  G 

114 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Samuel  P.  Savage,  Boston,  Mass. 

Exeter  14th  April  1762 
Sir 

I  have  now  to  acknowledge  the  rec1  of  your  favors  of 
the  25th  &  28th  ult°.  We  had  the  pleasure  this  morng  to 
receive  a  Letter  from  Captn  Marble  acquainting  us  of  his 
safe  arrival  at  Antigua,  on  which  we  give  the  underwrit- 
ers joy  —  Cap1  Marble  tells  us  he  believd  he  should  not 
go  to  Sl  Martins  or  Anguilla  as  he  had  heard  Salt  was 
very  scarce  &  dear  at  both  them  Islands,  but  as  he  was 
not  certain  how  he  should  proceed  as  he  had  been  arriv'd 
but  a  little  time  when  he  wrote,  I  shall  be  oblig'd  if  you'l 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  119 

make  the  following  Insurance  for  ace1  of  Folsom  Gilman 
&  Gilman  —  viz  Seven  hundred  pounds  Lawful  mony  at 
&  from  Antigua  to  Sl  Martins  &  Anguilla  &  at  and  from 
thence  to  any  one  Port  from  New  York  to  Piscataqua 
inclusive,  on  the  Sloop  Dolly  Sam1  Marble  Mastr,  on  the 
Vefsell  only,  as  he  is  uncertain  as  to  his  Cargo — you 
write  me  the  above  will  be  done  at  Fourteen  P  Cent  to 
return  four  P  Ct.  in  case  she  does  not  go  to  either  of  the 
above  Islands  —  and  I  suppose  the  underwriters  will  re- 
turn Two  P  Ct  in  case  he  goes  to  but  one  of  them,  indeed 
by  his  writing  I  do  not  think  it  probable  he  will  go  to 
either  of  them,  as  I  have  said  above,  but  chuse  to  have 
them  inserted  lest  he  should  —  we  are  in  hopes  the  above 
will  be  done  something  lower  than  what  you  write  me,  but 
leave  the  affair  wholly  with  you,  as  I  know  you  will  get 
it  done  at  the  lowest  rate  — Cap*  Marble  writes  us  he 
fhould  sail  at  soonest  some  time  the  beginning  of  this 
month,  if  not  disappointed,  but  should  write  us  more  par- 
ticularly by  the  next  Vefsell,  so  that  he  is  fully  in  time 

I  am  &c  JG 

To  Mr  Sam1  P.  Savage 
at  the  Insurance  Office 
B  of  ton 

115 

This  is  the  first  of  a  series  of  business  letters  between 
Joseph  Gilman 's  firm  and  his  brother-in-law,  Robert  H. 
Ives,  who  was  captain  of  merchant  vessels  and  frequently 
took  cargoes  for  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman. 

Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman,  Ex- 
eter, N.  H. 

Bridge  Town  Barbados  March  ye  9th  1765. 
Gentlemen 

I  have  just  now  Contracted  with  Cap1  Richard  Salter 
of  the  Schooner  Betfey,  Belonging  to  Cap*  Adams  of 
Portsmouth,  and  Bound  there,  to  Carry  my  produce  Viz : 
a  hog*  of  Rum  for  12£  hamre  Money — I  am  Sorry  that  it 
is  out  of  my  Power  to  take  it  my  Self  but  the  price  will 
not  Brake  before  we  Sail  for  Tortuga  which  is  tomorro 
it  is  thought  it  will  Brake  at  /18d  —  I  have  on  Board  two 


120  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

hogd  of  Rum  and  25£  Curle  Cash  on  Cargo  —  and  there 
remains  with  Mr  Daniel  309£  11s  ld  Curie  to  be  Shipt  in 
Cap.  Salters  all  in  Rum,  Except  five  Barr1  of  Sugar  — 
Wee  make  up  a  Large  fleet  for  Tortuga  and  many  Bound 
to  Boston  therefore  I  Should  be  Glad  if  you  would  leave 
Orders  for  me  with  Jonathan  &  John  Emmory  in  Boston 
as  Difpatch  is  Necessary. 

Your  Humbe  Serv1.  Rob1  Hale  Ives. 

This  my  third 

New  Castle  25th  April  1765. 
Gentlemen 

Cap1  Richd  Salter  is  now  arrivd  who  brings  this  letter. 
I  sent  Cap1  Sargent  on  bord  —  he  has  for  us  28  hhd  Rum 
&  7  bb  Suger  tomorrow  Cap1  Salter  I  suppose  will  begin 
to  Discharge  and  hope  som  of  you  will  be  down  to  Recieve 
yr  part  of  the  Cargo. 

I  am  yr  Hble  Ser1  Jos.  Frost. 

To 
Mefseurs  Folsom  Gilman  Gilman 
&  Frost       March18 
in 

Piscataqua. 

116 

Samuel  P.  Savage  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  Feby  19.  1766.— 
I  find  a  Ballance  on  my  Office  Books  due  to  you  of 
£37.15.5y2.  I  also  find  a  Note  paid  N—  Wheelwright  Esq1- 
for  money  borrowd  of  him  for  you  for  £50  odd  I  should  be 
obligd  when  you  come  to  Town  the  same  may  be  fettled. — 
I  have  for  some  time  past  left  the  Town  and  have  sat 
down  on  a  small  Farm  in  Weston,  where  if  I  can  spend 
my  few  remg  yrs  in  Peace  detatchd  from  Buftle  &  Noise 
shall  esteem  myself  happy.  —  I  meet  with  vast  Difficulty 
in  fetled  my  Office  Accts  —  and  was  it  not  for  the  kind- 
nefs  of  my  worthy  Friend  Mr  Bafs  —  could  scarce  expect 
to  bring  them  to  a  Clofe. 

My  kind  respects  to  Mrs  Gilman 

I  am  with  Esteem  dr  Sirs  Yr  Frd  &  Ser1 

S.  P.  Savage 


Judge  Joseph  Gilman 

From  a  silhouette 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  121 

117 
Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman,  Ex- 
eter, N.  H. 

■ 

Gentlemen, 

1  take  this  opportunity  to  acquaint  you  of  my  proceed- 
ings. I  arivd  hear  the  29th  of  Last  month,  but  could  not 
get  my  Vefsl  up  the  River  untill  the  4th  Ins1  by  reason  of 
its  being  the  dead  of  the  Nip  —  have  now  got  about  half 
my  Cargo  on  Shoure,  and  expect  the  rest  of  it  there  in  3 
or  4  days.  I  believe  the  price  of  Lumber  to  be  about  four 
pound  fiveteen  Shillings  pr  Thod.  —  I  can  not  at  preasent 
tell  weather  the  Brigg  will  be  Sold  or  not,  there  is  all- 
most  as  many  Brooms,  at  the  Ships  mast  heads,1  as  there 
is  Ships  at  the  Quay ;  If  she  should  not  be  sold  I  soppose 
Mr  James  will  put  her  up  for  Boston,  &  the  Piscataqua; 
and  I  hope,  we  shall  get  away  by  the  first  of  October, 
hope  I  shall  be  able  to  give  you  a  more  particular  ac- 
count, by  [the]  Nex  opportunity,  which  will  be  in  about 
ten  days,  by  Cap1  Welch  to  Boston. 

From  Your  humble  Serv1 

Rob1  Hale  Ives. 
Bristol2  August  ye  8th  — 1766  — 

118 
Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman,  Ex- 
eter, N.  H. 

Gentlemen 

Finding  the  Brigg  would  not  sell,  we  this  day  put  her 
up  for  Boston  and  Piscataqua,  but  at  present  can  not  tell 
which.  I  shall  go  to  first,  Mr  James  tells  me  that  he  shall 
put  on  Board  60  or  70  Tuns  of  Salt  and  if  he  Can,  will  fill 
the  rest  up  with  dry  goods,  Freight  is  an  Article  verry 
hard  to  come  at  here,  as  their  is  so  many  Vefsels  waiting 
for  it  —  I  hope  if  you  are  providing  another  Cargo  of 
Lumber,  you  will  take  Care  not  to  have  it  exceed  12 
Inches  wide,  for  you  not  only  save  the  Bounty  but  it  best 

i  A  broom  at  the  masthead  meant  that  the  ship  was  for  sale. 

2  Bristol,  England. 


122  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

answers  the  Markett, —  hope  we  shall  be  able  to   Sail 
from  here  by  the  Last  of  September  —  meine  time  Shall 
make  all  the  dispatch  in  my  Power  — 
I  Conclude  Your  Most  hum  Ser1 — 

Rob'  Hale  Ives 
Bristol  Aug1  23d  — 1766 

To  Befh  2.16 

Mefseurs:  Folsom  Gilman  & 
Gilman 
Merchts 
at 

Exeter 
Newhamshire 


Pr  favour 
Cap  Welch 
Via  Boston 


119 

Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman,  Gilman  & 

Frost,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bristol  Sep1  ye  26th  1766. 
Gentlemen 

In  my  Last  by  Cap1  Welch  I  inform3  you  of  my  takeing 
freight  for  Boston  and  Piscataqua,  and  expected  to  Sail 
the  last  of  September  but  have  been  disapointed  by  rea- 
son of  the  Nails,  which  I  was  to  take,  was  not  made :  I,ve 
got  on  board  eighty  tuns  of  corse  Salt,  which  I  thought 
might  answer  your  end  better;  than  fine  Salt  or  Coales 
and  about  10  or  12  Tuns  of  goods  on  Board,  &  shall  get 
the  rest  on  Board  as  soon  as  pofsible.  but  am  afraid,  not 
before  the  10th  of  next  Month  and  then  shall  proceed  im- 
mediately for  Boston  —  Lumber  goes  off  verry  slow,  as 
there  is  great  quantity  imported  lately  from  Norway  — 
Your  Cargo  has  the  name  of  the  best  that  has  ever  been 
imported  from  North  America  —  I  hope  the  next  account 
you  have  from  your  Brigg1  will  be  by 

Your  humble  Servant         Rob1  Hale  Ives. 
N.  B.    No  Vefsels  arived  from  Boston  or  Piscataqua  since 
I  have  been  here. 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  123 

120 
Elias  Ladd  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

octo 
durham  —  1st  — 1766 
Mager  Folsom  &  gilmans 

gentlemen  I  think  not  to  bring  the  beef  to  Exeter  that  I 
talkt  ofe  sence  I  understand  that  cash  bares  the  quickest 
market  so  I  have  sold  the  oxen  and  am  to  have  the  money 
in  twenty  days  the  man  is  very  sponceble  I  think  so  as 
soon  as  I  geet  it  I  will  com  &  bring  it — &  you  shall  have 
that  at  the  market  price  So  I  depends  upon  seing  you 
paid  hansumly  before  my  note  is  a  year  old  — 
gentlemen  your  humble  servent  Elias  Ladd 

To  Mayger 

folsom  or 
Either  of  his 

partners 

at  Exeter 

121 
Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives  to  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gilman,  Ex- 
eter, N.  H. 

Boston,  Dec.  ye  20th  1766. 
Gentlemen 

I  Receivd  yours  of  the  15th  Wednsday  Last  wherin  you 
advise  me  to  proceed  immediatly  to  Portsmouth  I  did 
not  understand  by  you  weather  you  ment  to  have  your 
Salt  Sold  here  or  not  but  I  think  it  can  not  Answer  at 
Piscataqua,  have  Sold  about  15hh  at  12s/  but  Shall  not  get 
more  than  10s/  for  the  Rest.  For  the  sale  of  Dispatch 
I  shall  Sell  all  to  100hh  this  day  which  I  shall  reserve  for 
Ballast. 

I  shall  take  care  to  imbrace  the  first  favorable  oppor- 
tunity to  get  round  to  Portsmouth  as  the  wheather  is 
verry  uncerten  Your  hum6  Ser1  R.  Hale  Ives. 

122 
Col.  Robert  Hale  died  at  Beverly,  March  20, 1767,  after 


124  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

a  lingering  illness,  aged  sixty-five.  He  left  an  estate 
amounting  to  £2,452.  old  tenor.  The  annuity  to  his 
widow  of  £16  must  have  absorbed  almost  all  of  it.  His 
daughter,  Mrs.  Benjamin  Ives,  died  a  few  months  later, 
October  18,  1767,  aged  forty-two.  His  widow  survived 
him  twenty-eight  years  and  lived  in  Boston. 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives,  Beverly,  Mass. 

Exeter  24  March  1769 
Dear  Brother 

Your  not  settling  &  paying  off  your  Sisters  part  of 
your  Grandfathers  Estate  has  been  a  great  damage  to 
me.  You  may  remember  when  you  were  here  last  Spring, 
I  told  you  I  owed  money  in  Boston  &  depended  on  paying 
it  out  of  what  I  received  of  you,  as  Executor  to  the 
Estate.  On  your  afsurance  you  would  speedily  Settle  the 
Estate  and  pay  me  your  Sisters  part,  I  engaged  the 
money  to  be  paid  foon  —  not  doubting  I  shou'd  receive  it 
of  you;  I  waited  fometime  and  then  took  a  journey  to 
Beverly  on  purpose  but  you  were  gone  to  Boston  before 
I  arrived. 

I  see  by  the  Boston  Paper  you  are  enter 'd  from  the 
West  Indies.  I  hope  you  have  had  a  profperous  Voyage 
and  that  you  and  Family  are  well  —  fhou'd  be  glad  of  a 
Line  from  you,  in  which  you  will  let  me  know  when  it  will 
fuit  to  finish  our  affairs,  or  when  I  shall  see  you  at  Bev- 
erly to  fettle  them — I  am  your  Sincere 

Friend  &  Brother 
P.  S.  Your  Sisters  Love  to  you  Joseph  Gilman 

&  mine  to  sifter 

123 
Nicholas  Pike  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

York  27th  May  1769 
My  dear  Couzins  — 

This  accompanies  the  Books  you  lent  me  last  Fall,  for 
the  Loan  of  which  am  greatly  oblig'd  to  you  —  since  my 
last,  have  been  very  poorly,  occafion'd  I  suppose  by  my 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  125 

Schools,  which  for  five  Months,  were  from  9  o 'Clock  A  M. 
to  the  same  Hour  P  M.  — But  why  do  I  give  you  so  par- 
ticular an  Account  of  my  own  Concerns,  when  you  deign 
neither  to  enquire  after  them  nor  even  to  acquaint  me  of 
your  own  Welfare?  However  this  Difference  between 
us,  I  will  own,  that  I  am  under  Obligations  to  you,  which 
you  are  not  to  me  — &  therefore  am  far  from  thinking 
your  Neglect  will  exculpate  mine  — last  Week  had  the 
Melancholly  News  of  Couzin  Sammy's  Death,  &  wish  it 
may  have  a  suitable  Effect  on  us  all  — A  Line,  but  more 
efpecially  a  Visit  from  you  wou'd  chear  the  Heart  of  your 

cordial  Friend 
& 
Affectionate  Couzin 

Nich°  Pike x 
Mrs  Pike  begs  the  Acceptance  of  her  best  Regards  — 

Joseph  Gilman  's  public  career  began  with  the  pre-Rev- 
olutionary  excitements,  into  which  he  threw  himself  with 
ardor.  It  is  rather  noteworthy  that  he  did  not  sign  the 
engagement  to  suppress  disorder  caused  by  the  "in- 
famous Stamp  Act,"  which  was  signed  by  most  of  his 
family,  including  Col.  Peter  Gilman.  On  March  25,  1770, 
there  was  a  town  meeting  at  which  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented on  the  subject  of  encouraging  home  manufactures 
and  discountenancing  importation  of  foreign  goods, 
especially  tea.  A  committee  was  chosen  consisting  of 
Nathaniel  Folsom,  John  Phillips,  Nicholas  Gilman,  Sam- 
uel Folsom,  Joseph  Gilman  and  Enoch  Poor  to  inquire 
of  the  representatives  "what  legal  and  constitutional 
measures  have  been  taken  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
this  province  for  the  redress  of  our  grievances  .  .  . 
and  if  any  measures  be  advisable,  to  give  their  Repre- 

i  Son  of  Rev.  Nicholas  Gilman  's  younger  sister,  Sarah,  who  married  in 
1730,  Rev.  James  Pike,  of  Somersworth,  N.  H.  Nicholas  Pike  published,  in 
1788,  a  "New  and  Complete  System  of  Arithmetick. ' ' 


126  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

sentatives  Instructions  to  be  by  them  observed  at  their 
next  session." 

The  committee 's  report  to  Exeter  was  that  the  General 
Assembly  had  authorized  the  preparation  of  a  letter  to 
be  signed  by  their  speaker  and  to  be  presented  to  the 
king  by  their  agent  in  England.  The  speaker,  Col.  Peter 
Gilman,  had  refused  to  sign  it,  as  it  did  not  express  his 
personal  views.  The  town  therefore  instructed  their 
representatives  to  see  that  such  a  letter  was  signed  and 
sent  at  once.  Col.  Peter  Gilman  signed  the  second  one 
that  was  brought  to  him,  but  it  is  thought  that  his  loyal- 
ist views  did  not  change,  for  in  1771  he  ceased  to  be  a 
member  of  the  Assembly. 

At  the  time  of  the  following  letter,  Joseph  Gilman  had 
been  married  about  eight  years  and  had  one  son,  Benja- 
min Ives  Gilman,  born  in  1766.  Mrs.  Gilman  's  brother, 
Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives,  was  married  in  the  same  year  to 
Sarah  Bray  of  Salem.  They  had  four  children :  Eliza- 
beth, who  later  married  Thomas  Bancroft;  Thomas 
Poynton,  who  married  Hope  Brown;  and  Charlotte  and 
Robert  Hale,  who  both  died  unmarried. 

The  "brother  of  Mr.  Gilman"  mentioned  below  was 
Rev.  Tristram  Gilman,  who  had  been  settled  over  the 
church  at  North  Yarmouth,  Me.,  since  1769.  He  was  one 
of  the  first  trustees  of  Bowdoin  College. 

"Aunt  Lee"  was  Elizabeth  Ives,  aunt  of  Mrs.  Joseph 
Gilman,  who  married  (1)  Richard  Lee,  of  Salem. 

The  visit  of  the  royal  governor,  Sir  John  Wentworth, 
in  1722,  which  Mrs.  Gilman  writes  about,  must  have  been 
somewhat  embarrassing  to  the  officers  who  were  training 
their  men  in  anticipation  of  possible  difficulties  with  the 
home  government.  It  is  said  that  Col.  Peter  Gilman 
added  a  new  front  to  his  house  in  order  to  entertain  the 
governor  suitably. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  127 

124 
Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  to  Capt.  Robert  H.  Ives,  Beverly, 
Mass. 

Exeter  OcttothlOl  1772  — 

Dear  Brother 

I  have  not  had  an  oper1  to  write  Since  I  Received  your 
Last  kind  Letter  of  invitation,  it  is  Needlefs  to  tell  you 
that  I  was  Greatly  Difsapointed  in  not  going  at  the  ap- 
pointed time  you  my  Dear  Brother  that  know  how  fond  I 
am  of  visiting  my  native  place  &  Relations  will  Easily 
Conceive  of  it,    We  all  made  Great  Dependence  upon  go- 
ing, but  Every  thing  Conspired  to  prevent  us,  I  think  I 
never  Saw  Brother  Josiah  So  set  upon  going  any  where 
Since  I  knew  him.     I  Suppose  it  was  partly  oweing  to 
his  being  a  Brother  officer    it  is  Natural  you  know  for 
people  of  the  same  profefsion  to  have  a  peculear  Sim- 
pathatic  Regard  for  Each  other,  we  were  full  of  Company 
at  Both  houses  mr  Gilmans  Brother  was  up  which  was  a 
principal  hinderance  he  Lives  at  Such  a  distance  that  it 
is  verry  Seldom  he  can  visit  us  &  they  thot  he  would  be 
Troubld  if  they  went  out  of  town  when  he  was  here  &  mr 
Pike  &  wife  was  here  mr  Gilmans  only  Aunt  &  another 
minister  &  wife  Daughter  to  mrs  Pike  so  that  we  Could 
not  Leave  home  with  any  propriety  Coll0  Folsom  did  not 
wont  inclination  but  he  was  just  Return 'd  from  a  Fatigu- 
ing journey  to  Coos  however  I  belive  if  Either  of  the 
Brothers  his  partners  Could  have  gone  you  would  have 
seen  him  at  Beverly  upon  so  agreable  an  occasion,  you 
Cant  amagin  how  pleas 'd  they  are  with  your  having  a 
Comifsion.     I  Cant  Conceive  what  the  reason  is,  unlefs 
it  is  because  they  are  so  Excefsive  fond  of  millitary  af- 
fairs that  they  are  Glad  to  hear  of  its  prosperity  any 
where  &  think  that  you  will  be  a  means  of  Reviveing  there 
Beloved  art  in  a  place  where  it  was  almost  Extinct.     I 
hope  my  Dear  Brother  will  Excuse  my  Dwelling  so  Long 
upon  one  Subject    our  Sex  you  men  say  is  given  to  pro- 
lixity &  I  freely  Confefs  your  sister  is  one  instance  of  it 
however  my  Dear  I  am  in  a  hurry  as  I  always  am  when 
I  write,  &  have  not  time  to  put  my  Ideas  in  so  few  words 
as  I  Should  be  Glad  to  both  for  your  Ease  &  my  own 


128  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Sattif  action —  I  had  a  verry  agreable  visit  from  our 
aunt  Lee  this  summer,  it  Refreshed  my  Spiritses  more 
than  I  can  exprefs,  I  was  in  a  poor  state  of  health  but  the 
unexpected  Sight  of  her  &  Polly  Really  made  me  forget 
my  infirmitys  —  if  I  had  Time  I  would  Divert  you  &  Sister 
a  Little  with  a  Detail  of  some  things  that  Transpird 
while  they  were  here  Relative  to  parson  Rogers,  you 
would  have  Laught  if  you  could  have  seen  him  Apeing 
the  Gallant,  mustring  up  all  his  old  Fashion  Congees  & 
Compliments  that  he  us'd  to  practise  forty  or  fifty  years 
ago  not  neglecting  the  most  triffling  piece  of  Complysance 
that  he  thot  would  make  him  appear  Sprightly  &  young, 
but  you  shall  have  the  whole  af air  at  Lareg  when  you  & 
Sally  Comes  for  Come  you  must  my  Dear  Brother  &  Sis- 
ter, dont  say  no  I  cant  bear  a  Denial  your  Friends  here 
all  of  them  are  impatient  to  see  you  both  here  as  well  as 
I  indeed  my  Dear  I  Shall  hardly  have  Courage  to  go  to 
Beverly  again  if  Sister  dont  Come,  I  dont  think  She  will 
ever  be  able  to  Leave  home  better  than  now,  do  pray 
oblige  us  —  Come  when  the  Governer  Comes  to  Review 
the  Regement  perhaps  there  will  be  something  to  be  seen 
that  will  amuse  &  please  you  at  Least  there  cant  be  so 
much  Expected  here  as  in  more  populous  places  but  they 
are  taking  Considerable  pains  to  have  there  men  behave 
properly,  your  Brother  has  been  planing  the  Review  & 
marshalling  of  them  in  order  as  they  are  to  stand  &  if  the 
officers  &  men  get  there  several  parts  perfect  they  will 
make  a  very  pretty  appearance  — 

Coll0  Folsom  is  to  make  the  Entertainment  for  his  Ex- 
elency  &  the  officers  &  Gentlemen  he  is  very  Desirous  to 
have  you  come  then  if  you  can  pofsibly,  but  dont  Let 
there  be  any  ifs  in  the  way,  mr  hale  offers  to  go  &  wait 
upon  you  here  if  you  will  come  &  that  will  be  of  any  ser- 
vice. I  believe  it  will  be  the  week  after  next  &  I  dont 
know  but  sooner  your  Brother  or  I  will  write  a  Line  & 
Let  you  know  the  Day  the  Governer  has  not  Determined 
yet  but  they  Expect  it  will  be  fixed  very  soon  —  adieu  my 
Dear  brother  &  Sister  &  accept  of  the  affeca 

Regards  of  your  Sister 

Rebecca  Gilman 
P  S     Capt  Gilman  Desired  the  favor  to  write  a  poscript 
to  this  but  he  is  not  come  &  I  cant  waite  any  Longer  for 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  129 

him  as  Sammy  is  impatient  —  I  cant  pretend  to  say  what 
he  would  have  wrote  but  I  can  say  thus  much  that  he  will 
be  heartly  Glad  to  see  you  &  your  Spouse  at  Exeter  mr 
Gilman  sends  a  deal  of  Love  to  you  Both  &  the  Little  ones 
Benja  Desires  his  Duty  to  uncle  &  Aunt  &  Love  to  Betsey 
&  Tommy  he  says  he  dont  know  the  other  with  the  Strange 
name  — 

125 
Rev.    Tristram   Gilman   to   Joseph   Gilman,    Exeter, 
Mass. 

Dear  Brother  North  Yarm°  Octor  20.  1774.— 

After  I  had  wrote  to  Mother  I  thot  it  might  be  satisfac- 
tory to  you  to  know  the  State  of  your  Note  to  me  of  which 
we  were  in  Doubt  when  I  was  at  Exeter.  It  is  as  follows, 
The  Note  is  for  £53„2„6  Jan.  12.  1770 

The  Payments  are,  April  2. 1771 . .   13..  5..  8 

June  1 12. 16. 

May  26.  1772  At  which  Time  I 

have  a  Receit  in  full  from  you. . .  12..  0..  2 

Novemr  1773,  Sundries 2..  7. 11 

Septenr"  1774  Sundries 4..  3..  6 

44..13..  3 

Ballce  without  Interest 8..  9..  3 

I  wrote  to  Mother  for  you  not  to  send  me  more  than  20 
or  30  wts  of  Butter  if  you  had  not  already  sent  it,  as  I 
have  a  Prospect  of  procuring  some  from  Amesbury.  And 
I  shoud  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  that  Jewetts  Note  is 
paid.  I  shoud  have  sent  the  Money  by  Mr  Chaix  but  thot 
it  was  not  worth  while  as  I  believe  Bean  will  now  soon 
make  out  some  &  if  you  want  it  you  may  have  it  from 
Bror  Josiah.  —  We  are  in  great  Fears  here  about  poor 
Bofton  lest  it  be  drenchd  in  Blood  &  wrapt  in  Flames. 
But  we  hope  a  kind  Providence  will  interpose  &  prevent 
it.  —  I  hope  you  &  your  Family  are  in  Health.  Mine  & 
my  Wif es  Love  to  You  &  Sister.  — 

I  am  your  affectionate  Brother 

Tristram  Gilman 


130  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

126 
Col.  Peter  Gilman  to  Judge  Theodore  Atkinson,  Ports- 
mouth, N.  H. 

Hond  Sr 

I  Recd  the  Sumons  you  Sent  &  should  have  Atended  this 
day  but  being  Very  unwell  &  it  being  Stormey  wether 
makes  it  unfafe  for  me  to  Journey  today,  you  Pleafe  to 
make  my  Excufe  to  his  Excellcy  I  am  your  most 

obedient  Humble  Ser1 
Exeter  Decr  15  1774  Peter  Gilman 

On  His  Majestys  Sarvice 

To 
The  Honble 

Theodore  Atkinson  Esqrl 
At  Portsm0 

127 
Samuel  Folsom's  Tavern  is  noted  as  the  scene  of  Gen. 
Washington's  stay  in  Exeter  in  1789,  when  he  was  re- 
ceived by  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman.  The  "Committey"  for 
which  the  following  bill  was  incurred  cannot  be  identified. 
Dr.  John  Giddinge  married  Mehetable,  daughter  of  Col. 
Peter  Gilman. 

Co11  Hurd  Doct  Gigdinge  Capt  Emery  &  Mr  Joseph  Gilman 
1776  a  Committey  to  Sam11  Folsom  Dr  — 

January  10  To  a  Bole  &  y2  of  Punch  2/  one 

Bole  of  Cheary  lld £0.  .2.  .11 

the  11  To  Punch  y4  Cheary  Toddey  lld 0.  .2. .  3 

the  12  To  2  Boles  of  Punch  2/8d  Cheary  Todey 

6dGin3d 0..3..  5 

the  13  To  Punch  2/8d  Cheary  Todey  lld 0.  .3. .   7 

the  15  To  flip  &  Grog  8d  the  16  To  Punch  &  Flip 

1/ 0..1..  8 

the  17  To  Chearrey  Todey  6d  flip  4d  Coffey  for  2 

l/7d 0..2..   5 

i  Royalist  Chief  Justice  of  New  Hampshire. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  131 

The  18  flip  4d  the  19  To  Punch  &  Toddey  2/  the 

20  Punch  &  Toddey  1/ 0.  .3. .  4 

The  22  to  one  Bole  of  Loof e  Suger  Todey 0..0..  9 

the  23  Punch  &  flip  1/  The  24d  to  Punch  &  flip 

ls/8d  0    2      8 

25  to  Punch  &  flip  l/8d  tne*26d  to  Flip  &  Todey 

1/1* 0..2..  9 

February  14  The  Committey  one  mug  of  Syder .  0 . .  0 . .  3 
23  to  Punch  l/4d  March  9d  to  Punch  &  Todey 

l/10d 0..3..  2 

the  13  to  Punch  &  Todey  l/lld  the  15  to  Punch 

&  Cherey  Todey  2/4d 0.  .4. .  3 

the  19  to  Punch  ls/6d  the  28d  to  Punch  l/6d  ap1 1 

To  Punch  l/6d 0.  .4. .  6 


£1.16.. 11 


Exeter 

aprel  5  1776      Erros  Excepted 

Pr  Samel  Folsom 
Recd  of  I  Emery  one  fhilling  &  Sixpence 
of    Joseph  Oilman  Eleven  fhillings  &  Tenpence 
d      John  Giddinge  Esq  Eleven  fhillings  &  Tenpence 

Samel  Folsom 


After  the  Boston  Tea-Party,  January  3,  1774,  a  sym- 
pathetic meeting  was  held  in  Exeter  which  adopted  patri- 
otic resolutions  and  appointed  a  committee  to  correspond 
with  the  other  towns  of  New  Hampshire  and  to  prevent 
the  sale  of  tea  in  Exeter.  Joseph  Gilman  was  one  of  the 
five  members.  On  December  26th  of  the  same  year,  he 
was  put  on  the  committee  to  see  that  the  non-importation 
agreement  was  strictly  adhered  to.  This  must  have 
practically  ruined  the  business  of  Folsom,  Gilman  &  Gil- 
man  and  accordingly  we  hear  nothing  more  about  the 
firm. 


132  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

128 
Joseph  Gilman 's  Commission  as  County  Treasurer. 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  Septr  19th  1776 
Voted  That  Joseph  Gilman  of  Exeter  be  &  hereby  is 
Appointed  Treasurer  for  the  County  of  Rockingham  and 
that  he  be  not  Qualified  to  act  in  said  Office  untill  he  give 
bond  in  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  pounds  with  Two  Sur- 
eties in  one  thousand  Pounds  Each,  to  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  for  the  use  of  Said  County 
For  the  Faithfull  Discharge  of  his  Said  Duty  and  Trust. 

P  White  Speaker 
Sent  up  by  Mr  Lovewell 
In  Council  Eodem  Die  read  &  concurred 

E  Thompson  Secy 
A  Copy  Examined  by  E  Thompson  Secy 

129 

We  find  in  the  New  Hampshire  state  papers  record  that 
Joseph  Gilman  served  on  two  important  committees  in 
1776.  One,  with  Nicholas  Gilman  and  Nathaniel  Folsom 
to  take  care  of  prisoners  from  New  York,  empowered  to 
draw  upon  the  Treasury  for  £150,  and  the  other,  a  com- 
mittee of  claims,  with  his  brother  Josiah  and  John  Taylor 
Gilman,  who  was  afterwards  governor  of  the  state. 

Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  examine  Mr. 
Rollins'  accounts,  Joseph  Gilman,  chairman.1 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  Mr 
Rollins 's  Account,  Beg  leave  to  report,  That 
the  said  Account  as  now  exhibited  amounting 
to  Nineteen  Hundred  Eighty  one  Pounds,  six 
shillings  and  nine  pence  half  penny  is  right 
Cast.  —  They  further  Report,  that  in  the  Ar- 
ticle of  53  Blankets  charged  as  paid  Cap1  Win- 
3„12„0  throp  Rowe's  Company,  six  were  supplyed  by 
the  Selectmen  of  Exeter. 

i  MS.  loaned  by  Theodore  Gilman,  of  Yonkers,  N.  Y. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  133 

That  receipts  are  produc'd-for  the  Payment 
93.  8.5  of  £93.8.5  back  Allowance,  but  it  does  not  ap- 
pear what  sums  were  due  no  Orders  from  the 
Commifsary  being  produc'd,  the  payment  of 
this  Money  was  (in  our  humble  Opinion)  the 
proper  Businefs  of  the  Commifsary  —  It  ap- 
pears that  the  Honble  Committee  of  Safety 
gave  Mr  Rollins  Orders  to  procure  One  Hun- 
dred Coats  for  those  Persons  who  lost  their 
Cloaths  at  Bunker  hill  — The  Sum  of  £150.5.91 
150.  5.91  paid  James  Hastie  &  others  Mr  Rollins  in- 
forms the  Committee  was  for  Cloth  &  making 
the  above  Coats,  what  Number  was  made  and 
deliver 'd  to  the  Soldiers  does  not  appear. — 
3.  9.0  That  the  Three  Pounds  nine  shillings  paid 
Garfield  &  Tapley  for  carting  Fish  &  Boards 
from  Salem  there  are  no  Vouchers  for. 

The  account  of  Billeting  Men  under  Col° 
Reed  amounting  to  £9.10.2  Cap1  H.  Dearborn 
billeting  his  Company  £15  —  Provisions  de- 
liver'd  Cap*  Wentworths  Company  includg 
Balls,  Flints  &  Knapsacks  amounting  to  £24.10 
—  and  the  Provisions  for  Cap*  Titcomb's 
Company  amount5  to  £11.2.7  The  whole  being 
60.  2.9  £60.2.9  are  proved  to  be  paid  by  Mr  Rollins, 
but  it  appears  the  Travel  of  these  Companys 
are  made  up  in  the  Rolls  and  paid  by  the  Pay 
Master.  —  That  of  the  six  Blankets  bought  of 
Mr  S  Hall,  Mr  Rollins  says  two  were  delivered 
to  Col0  Wyman,  the  other  four  to  Soldiers  un- 
known who  lost  theirs  at  Bunker  Hill.  —  We 
find  no  Orders  for  purchasing  Pouches,  the 
Twenty  six  Mr  Rollins  paid  Cap*  Shortridge 
6.1.4  for  amount5  to  £6.1.4  are  made  up  in  his  Roll 
and  the  Money  paid  him  by  the  Pay  Master  Mr 
Hobart. 
11.20.0  That,  of  the  £11.12/.  charg'd  as  paid  Jacob 
Cooper  Comny's  Clerk,  a  receipt  is  produc'd  for 
Three  Pounds  only,  further  the  Committee  are 
of  Opinion  that  it  is  properly  the  Commif- 
sary 's  Businefs  to  pay  his  own  Clerk  — 
That  two  Orders  drawn  by  Cap*  Jonathan 


134  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Wentworth    on    the    Committee    of    Safety 
1.19.0    amounting  to  One  Pound  nineteen  shillings 
are  indors'd,  but  it  does  not  appear  who  paid 
them.  — 

16.  6.4        Cap1  Scott  to  whom  Mr  Rollins  paid  £16.6.4 

for  billeting  his  Company  was  not  then  in  the 
Service  of  this  State. 
1 .  8.0        That  John  Fors  's  receipt  for  Twenty  eight 
shillings  to  purchase  a  Vice  for  himself,  was 
to  be  deducted  out  of  his  Wages  — 

That  as  the  Committee  of  Supplies  have  not 
settled  their  Accounts  as  a  Committee,  we  can- 
not ascertain  what  Sum  belongs  to  each  of 
them  to  account  for  — 

And  that  Mr  Rollins  has  given  Credit  for 
£110.10.6  receiv'd  for  Hides  Sold.  —  Among 
Mr  McGregore's  Papers  we  find  the  following 
memorandum  in  his  own  Hand  writing — Viz 
"Ichabod  Rollins  Esqr  receiv'd  of  Ebenezer 

127.17.1    Hall    £127.17-1    on    the    18th    September    for 

110.10.6    Hides.— 

In  behalf  of  the  Committee 

17 .  6.7  Joseph  Gilman  Chairman 

Exeter  26th  March  1777 

130 
Elijah  Hall  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Letter  2  Portsmouth  Newhampshire  July  18  1777 

Sir  you  will  Consider  the  Consequence  of  Erecting  a 
works  which  will  a  mount  to  Near  two  thousand  Lawful 
with  out  a  Suincent  quantity  of  iron  mine  to  Carey  the 
workes  on  for  fix  or  feven  yeares  I  Cannot  think  it  worth 
while  to  Set  it  up  at  that  Plase  for  the  land  Carrig  Being 
So  grate  &  it  will  be  Imposible  to  Supply  the  Iron  mines 
By  water  Carrag.  Nither  of  the  mines  that  you  fent 
down  By  Mr  Hacket  are  Rich  the  one  of  them  will  anser 
which  you  Say  is  in  a  Spruse  Swomp  the  other  will  Be  of 
No  use  as  it  is  Nothing  more  then  a  Sort  of  a  tarres  So 
I  will  Intirely  leave  it  with  you  to  detarmin  the  matter 
whether  to  send  for  the  Bulder  or  not  as  my  time  is 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  135 

intirely  taken  up  in  fitting  out  the  Ranges     fir  I  am 
Your  most  obedent  &  Humble  servent 

Elijah  Hall. 

131 
Joseph  Gilman  was  made  justice  of  the  peace  for  Rock- 
ingham county,  June  26,  1779. 

Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  17th  Sept:  1779. 

Dear  fir 

I  have  yr  favor  P  Capt.  Blodget  of  the  9th  Curr*.  by 
wch  I  observe  you  had  not  recd  my  Letter  wrote  about  the 
fame  time  last  Week  P  one  Mr  Fullerton  wn  I  sent  you  a 
Sett  of  Chesterfields  Letters  just  then  come  out  —  I  have 
got  the  rest  home  &  will  send  another  Set  by  Mr  Blodget 
if  he  can  carry  them,  the  others  first  Opp°.  the  Difference 
of  the  bound  Books  are  Sixteen  Dollars,  if  you  incline  I 
can  exchange  a  fett  paying  the  Difference. 

I'm  sorry  to  hear  of  the  unhappy  &  cruel  Accident  in 
Col0  Sherburne's  Compa  the  Criminal  will  doubtlefs 
meet  his  Deferts  —  our  penobscut  Expedition  we  are  all 
ashamed  of  &  greatly  chagrind  at  the  Event  as  well  as 
the  people  yr  way. 

The  General  Court  of  this  State  are  now  fetting  &  have 
appointed  a  Committee  as  a  Court  of  Inquiry  to  be  held 
in  Fanuil  Hall,  when  Every  one  may  have  Opporty  to 
hear  the  Examinations  —  the  Commodore  bares  the 
Blame  at  present  &  is  under  Arrest,  tis  certainly  a  most 
disgraceful  Affair.  — 

I  rejoyce  to  hear  by  Mr  Blodget  that  you've  [rec]ov'd 
from  yr  late  Indisposition,  wch  Mr  Wells  informd  [me  of] 
a  few  days  agoe  &  gave  me  trouble  to  know  of  hope  Mrs 
Gilman  holds  out  well,  you've  an  excellent  good  Nurse  in 
her.  You  &  I  ought  to  make  much  of  so  good  Wives  but 
Mrs  Hurd  is  now  a  little  unwell,  having  a  fmall  Touch  of 
her  old  Disorder,  &  fearful  it  may  lay  her  by  —  tho'  I 
hope  it  will  work  of  foon,  when  I  intend  bring6  her  along 
as  far  as  Exeter  if  she  can  hold  out  the  Journey  that  we 
may  have  the  pleasure  of  spendg  a  few  hours  together. 
Interim  with  our  best  Regards  to  you  &  Mrs  G.  I  am 
very  cordialy  yr  Friend  &  humbe  Serv*.  J.  Hurd 


136  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

My  regards  to  yr  Broth1",  Mr  Hale  &  all  Friends. 

If  I  dont  send  the  Spanish  Grammer  will  bring  it  along 

wn  I  come. 

132 

Dr.  Samuel  Tenny x  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Danbury  November  29th  1779  — 
Dear  Sir, 

When  I  inform  you  I  am  in  a  cold  firelefs  Chamber, 
writing  on  a  Teatable  so  compleatly  in  Ruins,  that  it  is 
with  the  utmost  Difficulty  I  can,  with  two  Knees  &  one 
Hand,  keep  it  together,  you  will  have  a  more  convincing 
Proof  of  my  warm  Friendfhip  for  you  &  your  agreable 
&  amiable  Lady,  than  the  most  specious  Protestations 
could  pofsibly  afford.  —  Till  I  met  with  Col.  Folsom,  in 
this  Place,  two  Days  since,  I  had  never  heard  from  you, 
or  a  single  Friend  in  Exeter  since  I  parted  with  them. 
By  your  own  Feelings  on  similar  Occafions,  you  may 
judge  of  the  Happinefs  I  enjoy 'd  in  hearing  by  him  of 
your  Welfare. 

Soon  after  I  left  Exeter  I  joind  my  Regiment  at  Rhode 
Ifland,  found  my  Friends  well,  &  have  spent  the  Time 
very  happily  till  since  the  Evacuation  of  Newport.  —  We 
are  now  on  our  Way  to  Head-Quarters,  which  is  to  be 
near  Morris-town  in  N.  Jersey.  Our  Unhappinefs  now 
is  that  we  have  to  build  our  own  winter  Quarters,  at  a 
Time  when  we  ought  to  be  in  them,  &  after  a  Summer  of 
Idlenef  s  &  Luxury  to  spend  the  winter  in  Penury  &  Fa- 
tigue. —  But  upon  every  Adversity  in  a  military  Life,  the 
Frenchman  says,  "C'eft  la  Fortune  de  Guerre",  &  makes 
himf elf  easy ;  —  &  I  know  of  no  better  Way  than  to  imi- 
tate him.  —  He  is  certainly  happy  who  is  contented  with 
his  Situation. — 

Had  the  British  Army,  &  consequently  our  Regiment, 
continued  at  Rhode  Ifland,  I  pleas 'd  myself  with  the 
Thoughts  of  spending  some  Part  of  the  Winter  with  my 
Friends  at  Exeter  &  elsewhere  —  but  now  the  Distance 
will  be  so  greatly  encreas  'd,  that  I  am  uncertain  whether 

1  Dr.  Tenny,  of  Exeter,  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  married 
Abigail  Gilman,  daughter  of  Samuel  Gilman,  Jr.,  and  his  second  wife,  Lydia 
Robinson,  widow  of  Col.  Zebulon  Giddinge.  This  Col.  Giddinge  was  a 
brother  of  the  Dr.  John  Giddinge  associated  with  the  rest  in  the  Tavern 
bill  above. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  137 

so  much  Happinefs  will  fall  to  my  Share.  But  be  that  as 
it  may,  neither  Distance  nor  Time  will  ever  be  able  to 
efface  or  diminifh  thofe  warm  Sentiments  of  Respect  & 
Esteem  with  which  I  have  the  Honor  to  be, 

my  Dear  Sir,  yours  &  Mrs  Oilman's 

very  sincere  Friend, 
&  moft  obed1  Serv1 

Sam1  Tenny 
P.  S.     A  Line  or  two  from  you  directed  to  Col.  Scammel's 
Quarters  will  not  fail  of  coming  safe  to  Hand,  or  of  af- 
fording me  the  highef t  Satisfaction.  —  My  bef t  Respects 
are  presentd  to  all  Friends  — 

133 
Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  13th  April  1780. 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  not  yet  had  the  pleasure  to  see  yr  Friend  Mr 
Fouquet  —  yr  Letter  to  him  still  lyes  by  me  —  I  enquir'd 
for  him  at  Monsr  Duplifis  in  our  Neighborhood  on  my 
first  coming  into  Town,  &  was  told  he  had  gone  a  Journey 
to  New  London  wch  is  a  little  unlucky.  I  have  by  me 
ready  to  send  you  by  first  Opp°  Buchan's  family  Physi- 
cian &  a  Couple  fmall  tooth  Ivory  Combs  agreeable  to 
Mrs  Gilman 's  desire,  Cost  as  at  foot,  £30  wch  you'll  please 
to  answer  for  me  to  Mr  Secretary  Thompson  as  Master 
Pearson  can  inform  may  be  requisite,  and  let  our  Friend 
Mr  Eliph*  Hale  know  I  have  bou1  his  Bandanna  Hand- 
kerchief that  shall  be  sent  along  with  yr  Things. 

pray  my  kindest  Compliments  to  Mrs  Gilman  &  am  with 
great  regard  Yr  most  humbe  Serv*  J:  Hurd. 

Cost  of 

Buchan's  Fam.  Physn  £18— 

2  fine  tooth  Ivory  Combs     12 

£30— 

134 

I.  Wells  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  10th  July  1780 
Dear  fir 

as  Major  Gains  is  going  your  way  thought  I  would 


138  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

write  a  few  lines  to  Inform  you  that  I  got  home  faf  e,  and 
have  eat  and  Drank  my  allowance  evry  day  —  I  dont 
mean  Hastapuding  —  but  something  sollid,  &  half  a  bottle 
Porter  a  Day  —  the  Journey  your  way  Has  done  me  so 
much  Good  I  believe  I  shall  pay  you  another  Vifit  before 
fall  —  I  have  laid  out  some  of  your  Money  for  a  bb  Rice 
&  some  Coffee  ye  Rice  @  120£  Coffee  66/  P  lb  50  lb  ye  re- 
mainder I  shall  Endeaver  to  lay  out  with  somebody  that 
I  find  wants  ye  Money  Most,  &  Ship  them  ye  first  oppy  to 
Colo"  Wentworth — Major  Gains  Can  Inform  you  about 
News  &c  —  Mrs  Wells  sends  her  love  to  Mrs  Gilman  and 
says  she  longs  to  see  her,  &  says  if  I  go  without  her  you 
Must  turn  me  out  —  so  uppon  ye  Whole  I  dont  see  but  I 
must — my  regards  to  all  Friends  &c  &c  and  am  with  Re- 
gard Your  Frend  I  Wells 

IPS  I  shant  write  by  Colo"  Hurd  unlefs  something 
turns  up  More  than  I  Know  of  at  prefent — 

135 

We  have  not  found  the  date  when  Joseph  Gilman  was 
put  on  the  New  Hampshire  Board  of  War  or  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety. 

Capt.   Henry   Dearborn   to   Joseph   Gilman,   Exeter, 

N.  H. 

Camp  Octobr  12th  1780 
Sir/ 

if  you  can  procure  good  cloath  and  trimmens  for  a  coat 
soon  &  deliver  it  to  Mrs  Dearborn  you  will  oblige  me,  — 
how  comes  on  the  orrange  trees,  pleas  to  make  my  com- 
pliments to  Mrs  Gilman  — 

I  am  Sir  your  most  obed4 

&  very  Hum6  Serv*  H.  Dearborn.1 

136 
J.  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Dr  Sir. 

Friend  Clifford  is  in  Town  &  will  take  my  hhd  Sugar 

i  Capt.  Dearborn  was  in  Col.  Stark 's  N.  H.  Regiment. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  139 

on  Fryday    Therefore  if  you  have  not  Engaged  a  teem 
keep  it  for  him —  In  haste 

am  Yrs    J.  Wentworth 
Jany2a1781  — 

137 

State  New  Hampshire.     In  Comtee  of  Safety.1 

Feby  17th  1781. 
Sir 

The  a/cs  which  this  State  has  ag81  the  United  States 
for  transportation  the  year  past  (furnished  by  the  Board 
of  War  &  now  to  be  settled  with  Mr  Emery)  you11  please 
to  make  out  in  your  own  name  &  take  his  obligation  as 
A.D.Q.master  for  payment. 

138 
Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Portsm0  Feby  20th  1781.— 
Dear  fir. 

I  am  stil  confined  to  my  Chamber,  I  hope  soon  to  be 
out — In  the  Interim  fear6  Mr  Emery  may  set  out  for 
Head  Qrs  to  settle  his  Commissarys  businefs,  and  it  may 
be  necefsary  for  the  Board  to  furnish  him  wth  our  Sup- 
plies in  his  Department,  I  inclose  the  Invoice  of  what  we 
sent  to  Coos  —  the  Waggon  Matters  you  can  furnish  him 
with  I  mean  the  different  Transportations  of  Powder  & 
Rum  &ca.  I  likewise  Inclose  a  Certificate  of  Mr  Jaffrey3 
wch  I  mentd  to  Mr  Emery  to  take  with  him  &  procure 
an  order  for  on  the  Loan  Office  wch  he  was  obliging 
eno.  to  offer  to  Effect  if  posible  —  please  to  give  it  him, 
taking  his  rec*  for  it  in  the  name  of  Mr  Jaffrey.  —  Is  the 
Treasury  stil  empty  —  shd  it  be,  &  continue  so  long  we 
must  take  out  a  Statute  of  Bankruptcy — 

I  am  with  regard 

D  Sir  yr  very  he  serv1 
Josh  Wentworth 2 

i  Provincial  4"  State  Papers,  N.  H.,  x,  534. 

2  Joshua  Wentworth  was  a  cousin  of  the  Eoyalist  governor,  Sir  John 
Wentworth,  and  also  of  Judge  John  Wentworth,  husband  of  Rev.  Nicholas 
Gilman 's  sister,  Joannah  Gilman.  Joshua  Wentworth  was  a  merchant  of 
Portsmouth  and  one  of  the  New  Hampshire  Board  of  War. 


140  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

March  30.  1781 

Return*  Mr  Jaff reys  Certificate  to  Col  Wentworth  * 
Joseph  Gilman  Esq 

favdP 
Lieut  Jn°  Gardner       Exeter 

139 
Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Portsm0  Feby  21st  1781  — 
Dear  fir 

Your  fav.  of  yesterday  came  to  hand  this  morning  —  I 
have  shewn  yr  Letter  to  Mr  Penhallow  who  thinks  with 
me  you  had  best  execute  the  business  mentd  &  are  of  opin- 
ion one  may  as  well  as  the  whole.  — I  am 

D.  Sir  Yr  hble  ob  Ser4 

Josh.  Wentworth 
P.  S.    I  wish  you  wou'd  observe  the  afsortment 
of  Goods  Mefsrs  Cabots  have  &  their  mode  of 
Sale  wth  price  &  let  me  know  on  your  return. 

Yrs    W 

140 
Jedidiah  Jewett  to  the  N.  H.  Board  of  War. 

Camp  New  Hampshire  Village  April  4th  1781. 
Gentn 

Inclosed  you  will  find  a  Memorandum  of  all  the  Goods 
found  in  Store  belonging  to  the  State,  all  the  Articles 
that  I  could  find  the  price  of,  is  marked  againft  the  Ar- 
ticle. I  should  be  glad  to  have  the  price  of  all  sent,  as  I 
am  not  certain  those  marked,  are  Right.  The  articles  of 
Clothing  most  wanted  are,  Shirts,  frocks,  Overalls  & 
Shoes,  the  last  of  which  is  always  wanted,  &  always  will 
be,  untill  better  can  be  had  for  them,  a  great  part  of 
those  drawn  from  Continental  Store,  will  not  laft  more 
than  a  week,  before  they  are  all  to  pieces  —  a  Soldier 
very  much  wants  two  Shirts,  two  frocks,  &  two  pr  Over- 
alls at  a  time,  &  then  they  would  keep  them  clean,  which 

i  This  line  is  a  notation  by  Joseph  GiiiMAN. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  141 

would  make  them  last  much  Longer,  then  they  now  do, 
for  now  many  of  them  will  wear  their  Shirt  untill  it  is  so 
dirty,  it  wafhes  to  pieces  very  eafy  and  last  them  but  a 
very  short  time,  when  you  know  the  number  of  Recruits 
Raised,  and  the  Situation  of  their  Cloath,  you  will  be 
much  better  able  to  Judge  of  the  Number  of  Shirts  &c 
wanted,  then  I  at  present  can  be  —  Rum,  Sugar,  &  tea 
Coffee  or  Chocolat,  is  much  wanted  by  the  officers,  & 
Never  more  Necefsary  than  in  the  Spring  &  Summer  Sea- 
son—  I  wish  for  some  paper  to  be  sent  by  the  first  Con- 
veyance, as  it  is  with  great  Difficulty  I  can  git  enough  to 
write  a  Letter  on  —  the  Soldiers  in  General  want  nothing 
but  to  be  well  fed,  Cloathed  and  paid  their  wages,  in  small 
Sums,  &  often,  to  be  very  easy  —  Gratuities  they  think 
nothing  of,  while  they  sopofe  they  have  a  debt  due  them, 
many  at  the  time  they  are  receiving  a  gratuity  will  say, 
damn  their  gratuities,  let  them  pay  us  what  they  owe  us, 
&  we  want  no  more.  I  have  paid  Fifteen  dollars  to  each 
Soldier  as  a  gratuity  &  Shall  (Unless  ordered  to  the  Con- 
trary) pay  the  remainder  of  the  money  on  Account,  then 
the  State  can  Charge  them  with  it,  or  not,  as  they  Please. 
The  Mafsachusets  has  given  their  Soldiers  nine  Hard 
Dols  each,  with  a  promise  of  Fifteen  more  to  be  sent  them 
soon.  The  other  two  New  England  States  have  given 
none  but  pay  a  small  Sum,  which  Seems  to  be  thought  by 
the  officers  of  all  the  States  to  be  much  the  best  way.  and 
appears  to  give  equil  satiffaction  to  the  Soldier.  Pro- 
vifions  have  been  plenty  &  Good,  the  winter  paft,  &  the 
army  remarkably  Healthy.  There  is  nothing  new  here, 
more  than  you  have  undoubtedly  before  this  time  had  in 
the  public  papers. 

I  am  Gentlemen  Your  Most  obedient  Hmble  Ser\ 

Jedidiah  Jewett. 
To  the  Honble  the  Board  of  War 

New  Hampshire 
War  Office.1 

Received  April  16th  1781.  with  the  Return  of  Clothing  left 
by  Major  Bafs. 


i  This  line  and  the  two  following  are  notations  by  the  war  office. 


142  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

141 
Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Portsm0  April  11  1781 
Dear  Sir 

I  recd  your  favr  of  this  day  P  D.  Nichole,  I  shall  be  up 
for  the  money  fryday  morning.  —  and  as  it  is  most  prob- 
able the  purchase  will  be  made  beyond  Newbury,  shall 
postpone  setg  off  'til  monday  as  going  sooner  will  not  fave 
time  to  advantage  I  am  D  Sir  yr  very  he  Serv1 

Josh.  Wentworth 
The  Alexander,  Cap  Simpson 
return3  this  morning  from  her 
Cruize,  has  not  taken  any  Vef  sel 
no  other  news 

142 

Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Portsm0  Ap1  23d  1781  — 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  set  the  Taylors  to  work  to  make  the  Cloaths  wcb 
are  to  be  finish  'd  wednef day  night,  shd  be  glad  you  woud 
send  down  one  of  our  Waggoners  wth  a  horse  &  the  bag  I 
bo'  at  Cape  Ann  on  Thursday  Morning  to  take  them  up.  — 

I  have  supplied  Capt  Robinson  wth  a  Coat  Cloth  &  f  ace- 
ing  —  wch  is  all  we  can  pofsibly  furnish  him,  indeed  he  is 
contented,  except  we  cou'd  get  Lining  of  Shalloon,  wch  I 
will  try  to  do, — 

I  have  obtain 'd  the  favr  of  Cap  Robinson  to  take  up 
5%  yds  white  Cloth  wch  he  will  deliver  you  —  remain 

D  Sir  yrs  Jos  Wentworth 

Inclosd  is  the  paper  of  to  day 
I  send  it  for  your  goverment  in  the  advertizement 
for  the  Offices 

143 

Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

D'Sir 

I  send  by  Hector  20  pr  Stockings  &  10  small  fhirts  wch 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  143 

I  bo1  ready  made  cheap,  they  will  do  for  Lads,  to  morrow, 
shall  have  about  30  large  fhirts,  Stockings  Coats  & 
Waistcoats,  shd  be  glad  the  horse  may  be  here  early  as 
posible, — 

shall  be  obliged  you  wou'd  take  off  what  is  Lieut.  Jn° 
Gardners  Wages  as  Lieut1  to  Jewell  &  Adjutant  to  the 
Col0  Bartlets  Reg1  &  send  me  the  two  sums  down  tomor- 
row— 

I  shall  have  Cloth  for  a  few  more  Coats  than  I  send  to 
morrow,  wch  cou'd  not  be  finish 'd  in  time  wch  will  send 
soon  as  made  —  In  haste 

am  D.  Sir  Yrs  J.  Wentworth 

P  S.  the  reason  of  sends  the  articles 

mentQ  above  by  Hector,  was  his  offer 

to  carrie  them  &  the  Cloaths  here  will 

fill  the  Bag  I  mentQ  in  mine  P  Capt  Robinson 

to  be  sent  down 

144 

Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Dr  Sir,/ 

Lieut  Merrow  is  the  Officer  we  promised  4  fhirts  toe,  & 
suite  Cloaths,  shd  be  glad  you  wou'd  furnish  him 

Yr  he  Serv1 
Portsm0  Ap1  25, 1781  —  Josh  Wentworth  for  self  & 

Mr  President 

145 

J.  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

War  Office  Portsm0  Ap1  26.  1781 
D.  Sir 

At  foot  you  have  Ace1  of  the  Cloathing  P  Nichls  Nichols, 
more  Shirts  &  Coats  are  now  making  wch  will  send  soon 
as  finish 'd  remain  Yr  J.  Wentworth 

38  Pr  yarn  hose 
41  Shirts 
16  Coats 
16  Waistcoats 


144  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

146 
Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Portsm0  April  28l  1781  — 
Dr  Sir. 

Inclos'd  are  a  bundle  &  Letter  P  post  yesterday. — 
also  two  discharges  for  6  mos  men  wch  you  will  Note  — 

I  have  agreed  wth  a  Man  belonging  to  Newbury  for  150 
pr  mooskin  Breaches  at  £75  to  be  inspected  &  those  we 
disaprove  off  to  turn  bye  —  pay  half  in  a  State  Note  half 
Cash  —  they  are  to  be  at  Exeter  next  Thursday,  when  I 
will  be  up  —  I  am  D.  Sir  yrs  Josh.  Wentworth 

147 
J.  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Dr  Sir 

Your  favr  of  this  day  P  fifer  Odiorne  recd.  we  have  no 
Cloth  on  hand  a  number  of  Coats  are  made  &  will  be  sent 
up  first  oppty. —  no  Cloth  to  be  purchas'd  in  Town  of  such 
Quality  nor  indeed  any  blue,  if  any  shd  come  will  buy  eno. 
for  6  suites  you  mention  &  send  to  Exeter  as  the  mode  of 
making  wont  suite  the  Non.  Commifsion'd  Officers  they 
say 

with  respect  to  Dowlas,1  we  cannot  buy  any  'til  our 
Commifsion  is  out  for  the  Commifsion'd  Officers,  fearing 
Cash  wont  hold  out.  —  We  have  purchas'd  Cotton  &  Lin- 
nen,  &  the  Other  Cloathing  to  am1  of  our  finances,  'til  the 
Officers  money  cannot  be  Invested,  as  you  are  sencible 
they  will  expect  their  suites  agreeable  to  Col0  Dear- 
bourn's  solicitation  to  the  Court  &  their  order  in  Conse- 
quence—  remain  D  Sir  Yrs  J.  Wentworth 
Portsm0  Ap1  28,  1781  — 

148 
The  N.  H.  Board  of  War  to  Jedidiah  Jewett  by  Joseph 
Gilman. 

War  Office  Exeter  23d  May  1781  — 
Your  Letter  of  April  4th  came  duely  to  hand,  inclosing  a 

1  A  strong  and  coarse  linen. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  145 

Return  of  what  Clothing  you  found  in  Store,  some  of  the 
Articles  you  say  were  not  mark'd  (the  Copies  of  Invoices 
of  those  Articles  being  at  the  Office  in  Portsmouth  pre- 
vents our  sending  the  prices  by  this  Opp°  but  will  send 
them  by  the  next  party  who  will  march  in  a  few  days  — 
This  incloses  an  Invoice  of  a  Cask  Coffee  &  one  ditto 
Sugar,  and  such  Articles  of  Clothing  we  were  able  to  pur- 
chase, for  the  Officers,  Amt  £.  313.4.7.  in  delivering  which 
you  will  observe  the  Instruct"  you  have  already  recd  from 
us.  The  other  Articles  you  mention  shall  be  sent  on  as 
soon  as  the  Court  supply  us  with  the  means  &  the  Articles 
can  be  purchased.  We  are  Sir 

Yr  humble  Servts 
J  Gilman  In  behalf  of  the 
Copy  to  be  fent  to  Portsm0         Board  of  War. 

149 

Col.  Scammel  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H.1 

June  9  1781 
"I  am  confident  you  have  not  been  wanting  in  your 
exertions  for  us.  Our  foldiers  —  poor  fellows  I  feel  dif- 
trefsed  for  them  beyond  defcription  —  they  are  ragged, 
very  ragged  but  a  fmall  degree  removed  from  ftark- 
nakednef  s.  I  would  suppofe  that  our  brother  citizens  are 
doing  everything  in  their  power  for  us,  while  we  are  en- 
joying Continental  fare  in  the  field.  Their  political  fal- 
vation  depends  on  a  good  army  well  found.  I  fhudder  at 
the  profpect  of  the  enfuing  campaign,  not  from  fear  of 
the  enemy,  but  from  apprehenfions  of  ftarvation.  The 
fupplies  are  fo  very  precarious  that  the  Commander-in 
Chief  cannot  lay  a  fingle  plan,  or  commence  a  fingle 
operation,  for  want  of  the  necefsary  fupplies.  What  a 
pity  that  our  great  and  good  General  fhould  be  cramped 
in  his  operations,  which,  perhaps,  if  well  feconded,  might 
this  campaign  be  decifive !  I  wright  this  part  only  for 
your  ftanch  Whigg  friends.  I  don't  wifh  the  Tories 
might  know  the  circumftances,  leaft  they  fhould  triumph. 
Make  ufe  of  it  as  a  Spurr  to  our  Afsembly  as  many  of 
them  as  you  can  truf t. ' ' 

1  Gilman  Genealogy,  89. 


146  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 


a\ 


The  refinement  of  our  Commander-in-Chief's  ma- 
noeuvres &  movements  eludes  the  army  and  I  prefume  of 
the  enemy.  But  what  fhall  we  do  with  our  money?  The 
new  emifsion  has  fhared  the  fame  fate  as  the  old,  and 
puts  me  in  mind  of  the  funeral  procefsion  at  New  Haven 
on  the  firft  news  of  the  new  emifsion  being  ifsued.  They 
buried  a  quantity  of  old  bills,  and  fixed  a  new  bill  on  the 
grave-ftone,  with  this  Infcription  wrote  upon  it  —  Be  ye 
alfo  ready." 

150 
Joshua  Wentworth  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Portsm0  Oct0  6.  1781.— 
DrSir 

Only  60  flints  remain 'd  on  hand  of  the  States  —  Col0 
Langdon  having  a  Qty  belong2  to  the  Continent,  supply 'd 
1000,  wth  answers  for  the  number  you  wrote  for  — 

No  further  news  here  from  the  Southward,  —  remain 

D.  Sir  yr  m°  he  Serv' 

Josh.  Wentworth 

151 

The  N.  H.  Committee  of  Safety  to  Hon.  Samuel  Hunt, 
Charlestown,  Mass. 

Exeter  Octo  7.  1781  — 
Sir 

By  Order  of  the  Honble  Committee  of  Safety  for  This 
State,  I  have  sent  a  quantity  of  Military  Stores,  directed 
for  you — an  Invoice  of  which  is  herewith  inclosed,  also  a 
Receipt  for  the  fame,  which  you  will  please  to  sign  & 
deliver  to  the  bearer  Dudley  Nicolle,  one  of  our  Wag- 
goners—  I  have  the  honor  to  be 

with  great  Esteem 
Your  most  hum  Serv1 

Jos.  Gilman 
Joseph  Gilman  served  on  a  committee  with  his  brother 
Josiah  and  Mr.  Ephraim  Robinson,  to  consider  the  depre- 
ciation of  wages  of  officers  and  soldiers  belonging  to  the 
New  Hampshire  line  of  the  army  of  1780  and  1781.     This 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  147 

appointment  was  made  on  January  18,  1782,  and  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  same  year,  he  was  made  judge  of  probate 
during  the  absence  of  Phillips  White  at  Congress. 

152 
Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  5th  June  1782 
Dear  Sir 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  yr  Letter  of  2d  Inst  P  Col0  Fol- 
som  —  am  obligd  by  yr  Care  of  forward5  my  Friend's  Let- 
ter fome  time  agoe  to  Capt  Sullivan,  &  sends  the  Deed  by 
Major  Hodgdon  with  the  Money  for  recordg  if  any  far- 
ther Expence,  you'll  please  to  let  me  know  &  shoud  be 
glad  to  have  the  Deed  returnd  by  fome  f af e  Hand  if  you 
can  get  it  from  the  Recorder  Capt  Waldron  who  I  heard 
fome  time  agon  had  been  very  fick. 

I  recollect  fomething  about  the  Bur  Mill  ftones  I  be- 
lieve Mr  Fisher  sent  for  intend5  them  for  his  Mills  at 
Coho  'os,  but  afterwards  releasd  them  to  Govr  Wentworth. 
what  the  Sterls  Cost  was  I  dont  remember,  cant  think  it 
coud  be  so  high  as  £50  Stg.  I  have  this  day  made  Inquiry 
of  Some  N.  York  Gentlemen  who  formerly  imported  fuch 
—  they  say  the  Cost  was  fome  where  between  15  &  20 
Guineas,  &  that  they  were  sold  for  about  40  or  £50  York 
Curry —  tis  not  likely  they  woud  sell  in  this  Town,  how- 
ever I  will  enquire  further  &  inform  you  if  any  Encour- 
agem*  foon. 

Pray  my  respectful  Complim13  to  Mrs  Gilman  whom  I 
am  very  glad  is  in  fo  good  health,  with  kind  regards  to 
Mastr  Ben,  thank  them  for  their  kind  Enquiry  about  my 
Son  Jacky  who  I  heard  very  lately  was  as  hearty  &  well 
as  I  coud  expect  him  to  be,  &  hope  will  hold  out  fo  for 
another  Campaign.  Jacob  has  been  at  Coho'os  from  the 
time  he  left  you  last  Spring — heard  from  him  about  a 
fortnight  past  —  he  has  great  patience  &  resolution  to 
tarry  there  so  long  at  hard  Fare  &  Labour — but  hope  it 
may  be  for  his  future  Benefit,  to  bare  the  Yoke  in  his 
Youth — have  you  at  Exeter  any  late  Advices  from  Con- 
gref  s  respecting  the  State  of  Vermont,  &  are  our  Western 
Counties  like  ever  to  return  into  regular  legal  order.     I 


148  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

wish  to  hear  fome  authentic  account — a  few  lines  from 
you  to  the  purpose  will  much  oblige 

Dr  Sir  Your  real  Friend  & 
most  hum6  Serv1 

Jn°  Hurd. 
pray  my  regards  to  our  Friend  Mr  Hale  —  I  wish  to  fee 
him  in  Town  that  I  may  discharge  a  fmall  obligation  am 
under  to  him.  Remember  me  too,  if  you  please,  to  yr 
Broth1"  Capt  Gilman  and  our  Friend  —  I  left  feveral  Town 
Charters  with  Master  Pearson  to  be  recorded.  Be  so 
kind  to  take  them  into  yr  Care  till  I  can  send  for  them. 

153 
M.  Hodge  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Newburyport,  28  July  1782. 
Sir 

I  have  a  quantity  of  yr  States  New  Emif  sion  Money  by 
me  to  the  am1  of  600  Dollars,  which  I  could  wish  to  be 
well  rid  off,  therefore  would  kindly  thank  you  for  your 
advise,  whether  to  wait  for  its  redemption  or  to  Ex- 
change it  for  yr  states  Notes,  or  whether  its  Likely  the 
Interest  will  be  paid  on  it,  or  what  yr  Legislature  will 
determine  concerning  it,  shall  Esteem  it  as  a  favour  to 
inform  me,  what  measures  have  been  taken  &  what  in 
your  Opinion  is  Likely  to  be  taken  for  its  Redemption 

Mrs  Hodge  will  have  the  pleasure  I  hope  of  handing  this 
to  you,  &  find  you  &  Mrs  Gilman  in  as  good  health  as  it 
Leaves  your  most  Obed1  most  Hble  Serv1 

M.  Hodge 

154 
Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  9th  Apr1  1783. 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  ye  pleasure  of  yrs  of  ye  7th  Inst*  P  Gen1  Folsom, 
&  observe  you  had  recd  ye  papers  respecting  Mr  Olmsted's 
Sons  Wages  which  ye  woud  be  mindful  of — am  forry  to 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  149 

find  that  you  had  been  in  so  very  ill  health  when  I  wrote 
by  Capt  Jewet,  wch  I  had  not  heard  of  tho'  I  never  fail  to 
enquire  after  yr  &  Mrs  Gilman's  Welfare  wnever  I  have 
Opp°.  I  pray  God  you  may  enjoy  better  health  &  sin- 
cerely wish  you  long  to  live  happily  together. 

I  am  truely  grievd  to  hear  of  Mr  Nich3  Gilmans  Death,1 
tis  a  great  public  as  well  as  private  Lofs  &  many  may 
have  reason  to  mourn  for  him;  nor  had  I  heard  before 
Gen1  Folsom  informd  me,  of  poor  Mrs  Gilman's  Death  — 
their  Family  must  be  much  dif tref  s 'd  —  may  a  kind  prov- 
idence be  their  Comforter  They  will  find,  I  hope,  many 
Friends  to  Sympathize  with  them  &  alleviate  their 
Troubles  —  pray  make  my  Complimts  of  Condolence  to 
them. 

There  is  a  time  of  mourning  &  a  Time  of  rejoycing  for 
us  all.  I  have  had  a  Share  of  y6  former  you  know  — the 
prospect  is  now  changing  with  me,  &  I  expect  in  about  a 
Month  from  this  to  take  upon  me  the  holy  Yoke  of  Matri- 
mony &  once  more  try  my  Fortune  in  y*  way — I  know 
not  whether  you  may  have  been  inform 'd  of  it  —  But  I 
have  lately  formd  a  very  intimate  Connection  for  that 
purpose  with  a  Widow  Lady  Mrs  Foster  *  Eelict  of  Dr 
Isaac  Foster  late  of  Chariest11  an  agreeable  person  of  good 
Characf  &  Connections,  tho'  so  much  younger  than  my- 
self by  20  yrs  that  f  ome  people  think  I  have  more  Courage 
than  Discretion  But  so  long  as  the  Lady  is  fatisfyd,  no 
other  person  I  think  has  a  right  to  complain.  —  I  shall  be 
happy  by  &  by  to  introduce  her  to  yr  &  Mrs  Gilman's  Ac- 
quaintce  —  In  the  meantime  I  rest  afsured  of  yr  good 
Wishes  for  my  happynefs — being  with  very  affectionate 
regards  Dr  Sir  Yr  Friend  &  H  Serv1 

Jn°  Hurd. 

pray  my  kind  Complimts  to  yr  Brothr  &  Family,  Mr  Hale 
&c  &c. 

*  you  see  I'm  fond  of  ye  family  name 


i  Son  of  the  ' '  Uncle  Daniel ' '  of  whom  Joseph  had  written  earlier,  and 
father  of  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman.  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Sr.,  died  March 
17,  1783,  and  her  husband  on  April  7,  of  the  same  year. 


150  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

155 
Joseph  Wood  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Beverly  December  28th  1783 
Sir 

Yours  of  the  15th  of  November  Last  I  received  on  the 
19th  and  have  agreeable  to  your  Desire  not  Sold  those 
articles  mentioned  in  your  Letter  but  Sold  all  the  rest  of 
the  estate  Exceping  the  y2  a  pew  in  the  meeting  House 
What  I  Sold  amounts  to  better  than  £100  —  I  have  not  re- 
ceived but  few  accounts  as  yet — I  Should  have  before  this 
have  Wrote  to  you  on  the  Subject,  but  I  have  been  verry 
befsey  in  Publick  and  my  own  Private  affairs  So  that  I 
have  not  had  oppertunity  to  Examine  the  papers  relative 
to  Cap*  Iveses  eftate,1  as  I  Should  have  been  glad  to  have 
done.  I  this  evening  been  Informd  of  Hectors  going  to 
Exeter  tomorrow  morning,  the  Notice  being  so  Short  I 
Cold  not  Send  you  the  Peticulers  desired  in  your  Let- 
ter—  as  I  do  not  So  well  under  Stand  your  meaning  rel- 
ative to  my  sending  you  an  account  of  monies  Cap*  Ives 
received,  wheather  you  mean  monies  or  personal  estate 
he  received  that  was  not  Inventoryed  as  Col  Hales  estate 
or  monies  &c  that  was  Inventoryed.  I  think  I  have  found 
a  Copy  of  the  will  and  Inventory,  alfo  accts  of  monies  and 
Charges  paid  by  Cap1  Ives  alfo  Some  notes  or  bonds  on 
hand  that  are  Desperate  and  out  Lawed  alfo  Sum  receipts 
from  your  Self  of  personal  estate  received  but  No  pe- 
ticilar  receipts  about  the  Negros.  I  Should  esteam  your 
enformation  relative  to  any  or  all  the  foresaid  Peticulers 
as  a  grate  feaver  and  that  as  Soon  as  You  Pofobly  Can 
as  I  Shall  waite  your  answer  before  I  Send  you  any  fur- 
ther Peticulers,  and  uppon  the  receipt  of  your  Letter  I 
will  with  the  gratest  freedom  and  Dispatch  Comply  with 
your  most  Resonable  Demands  and  furnifh  you  with  any 
acctt  that  is  in  my  power 

your  Speedey  Compliance  will  Grately  oblige  your  Very 
Humble  Servet  *  Joseph  Wood 

The  post  Knows  Where  I  Live 


i  Eobert  Hale  Ives,  Mrs.   Joseph   Oilman  's  brother,  had  died  at  sea, 
October  19.  1779. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  151 

156 
Col.  John  Hurd  to  Joseph  Oilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Boston  27th  April  1784 

Dear  Sir 

I  recd  yr  favor  of  3d  Inst  P  Mr  Gorham  with  the  char- 
ters of  Bath  &  Relhan1  &  am  obliged  by  yr  Care  therein;  I 
shoud  have  wrote  you  P  his  return  but  the  Weather  being 
bad  for  feveral  days  I  did'nt  know  when  he  set  out— am 
glad  to  find  the  Articles  I  sent  you  were  to  your  mind, 
doubt  not  of  your  readynefs  to  return  the  fmall  favor  as 
I  have  great  proof  of  yr  Friendship  in  many  respects 
which  I  fear  shall  never  have  Opp°  sufficiently  to  retaliate 
either  to  you  &  Mrs  Gilman  as  I  coud  wish. 

I  hope  in  the  Course  of  this  fummer  ensuing  &  promise 
Mrs  Hurd  that  we  will  make  a  Journey  into  New  Hampsh : 
to  see  our  Friends,  and  twill  give  me  great  pleasure  to 
introduce  her  to  you  &  Mrs  Gilman  at  Exeter  — At  pres- 
ent Mrs  Hurd  is  confind  to  her  Chamber,  after  a  severe  & 
critical  time  of  laying  in  by  wch  She  run  great  hazard  of 
her  Life,  but  we  have  much  fatisfaction  in  her  having 
brought  into  ye  World  two  pretty  little  pledges  of  our 
Love  female  Twins,  wch  are  healthy  &  like  to  do  well  & 
she  herself  fave  a  little  extra  weaknefs,  in  a  good  way  of 
recovering  her  health  &  ftrength  —  I  know  twill  give  you 
pleasure  to  hear,  among  the  rest  of  our  Friends  that  we 
can  do  fuch  great  Things  in  our  advanc'd  years  — it  hap- 
pend  that  Parson  Parker's  Wife  of  this  Town,  brout  him 
Twins,  Boys  —  the  fame  day,  (yesterday  was  four 
Weeks)  wch  occasiond  considerable  Chit  Chat,  among  the 
Ladies  especially,  you  may  therefore  conclude  twas  pleas- 
ing to  us  —  our  Little  Girls  were  Xen  'd  a  few  days  after 
by  the  Names  of  Catherine  &  Elizabeth  — the  first  in 
memory  of  &  out  of  respect  to  my  late  worthy  &  good 
Friend  Mrs  Heard  of  London  deca :  the  other  of  my  late 
Dear  Wife  —  May  the  Children  inherit  ye  Virtues  of  their 
predecefsors  —  Mrs  Hurd  requests  her  kind  Complimts  & 
Respects  to  you  &  Mrs  Gilman  with  mine  &  I  am  very  truly 
Your  affectionate  Friend  &  most  hum6  Serv1 

John  Hurd. 

iPelham? 


152  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

My  regards  to  Mr  Ben    my  son  Jacky  desires  his  respects. 
Jacob  is  at  Coho'os. 
P.  S, 

As  to  the  price  of  public  Securities  —  they  are  nearly 
as  follows  —  Peirce's  Certificates,  Imlays  and  other  Cont1 
Commifsrs  sell  at  3/  3/3  &  3/6  P  pound  according  to  ye 
Interest  due  on  them,  a  little  more  or  lefs.  Loan  Office 
Certificates  with  two  years  Interest  due  on  them  have 
been  sold  at  6/8  in  ye  pound,  there  feems  some  prospect 
of  their  rising  now,  as  we  hear  Congrefs  have  pafsd 
some  late  resolves  providing  for  paym1  of  the  Interest  — 
our  Maf sa :  State  Certificates  sett  at  7/.  they  have  been 
lately  at  8/  &  9/  but  the  Gnl  Court  rising  without  laying 
any  new  Taxes  for  redemption  of  them  as  expected,  they 
have  fell  again  &  are  dull  fale  —  I  think  after  next  May 
fefsion  of  the  Gen1  Court,  when  its  probable  fomething 
further  will  be  done  —  the  ftate  fecurities  will  rise.  New 
Hampsh:  State  Securities  have  lately  sold  at  6/  I  meet 
with  them  but  seldom.  Shoud  be  glad  to  know  how  they 
are  fold  in  yr  State  &  what  provision  for  payment  of  the 
Interest  —  Shoud  all  the  ftates  come  into  a  Gen1  Impost 
as  we  have  some  prospect  now,  undoubtedly  all  public 
Securities  must  rise,  woh  I  hope  will  be  the  Case  in  pity  to 
many  who  are  great  fufferers  by  their  Depreciation.  I 
thank  you  for  yr  Intention  of  recommending  any  of  yr 
Friends  to  me  in  this  way  —  I  negotiate  considerable 
Value,  tho'  I  do  not  flourish  away  by  Advertizemts  as 
f ome  Folks  do.  pray  my  respects  to  Gen1  Folsom  &  Fam- 
ily also  to  yr  Broth1",  Mr  Hale  &  theirs 


157 
Notice  of  Election  to  the  State  Senate,  1785. 

Hampton  falls,  May  the  18th  1785. 
Sir 

Whereas   it   appears,    by    examining   the    returned 
Copies  of  the  votes  for  Senators,  that  you  are  chosen 
a  Senator  for  the  County  of  Rockingham  by  a  ma- 
jority of  votes : 
You  are  therefore  desired  to   attend  at  Portsmouth 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  153 

on  the  first  Wednefday  in  June  next  and  take  your  Seat 
agreeably  to  the  Constitution  of  this  State. 
5  M  Weare. 

158 
Supply  Clap  to  Joseph  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Portsmouth  July  14th  1786  — 

Dr  Sr 

I  have  recd  all  the  Public  Stores  from  Col0  Wentworth, 
and  should  be  Obliged  you  would  deliver  the  bearer,  all 
that  are  in  your  Pofsefsion  (except  the  Powder)  with  a 
minute  of  every  article,  he  will  receive  them  at  the  Store 
&  carry  them  to  the  Gondola.  — I  should  not  think  it 
worth  while  to  fend  the  empty  Casks  you  mention 'd  — or 
anything  else  that  is  of  no  value,  as  it  would  enhance  the 
expence  &  be  of  no  benefit  to  the  State, 

Your  Compliance  herein  will  very  much  oblige  — 

sy 

P  S.    I  suppose  these  Your  most  Ob1  Serv* 

Stores  will  be  Receipted  Supply  Clap 

for  wth  Col0  Wentworth  — 

159 

Notice  of  Election  as  State  Senator,  1787. 

Concord  June  7th  1787  — 

Sir, 

The  General  Court  having  elected  you  a  Senator  tor 
the  County  of  Rockingham  for  the  ensuing  year,  this  is 
therefore  to  notify  you  thereof  and  to  desire  your  attend- 
ance as  soon  as  may  be. — 

Jn°  Sullivan, 

The  Honorable  President 

Joseph  Gilman  Esq.  . 

Exeter.  (public  service) 

160 
Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  was  born  in  1755.    He  was  dis- 
tinguished in  the  Revolution  and  was  the  New  Hampshire 
commissioner  to  the  Federal  Convention  that  drafted  the 


154  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

constitution,  which  was  adopted  September  17  and  pre- 
sented to  Congress  September  20, 1787,  with  a  letter  from 
Gen.  Washington  in  his  capacity  as  president  of  the  con- 
vention. 

Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  to  Joseph  Gilman. 

Philadelphia  September  18th  1787 
Dear  Sir 

The  important  businefs  of  the  Convention  being  closed, 
the  Secretary  set  off  this  morning  to  prefent  Congrefs 
with  a  report  of  their  proceedings,  which  I  hope  will 
f oon  come  before  the  State  in  the  manner  directed ;  but  as 
fome  time  must  necefsarily  elapse  before  that  can  take 
place  I  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  transmit  the  enclosed 
papers  for  your  private  fatisf action  —  forbearing  all- 
comments  on  the  plan  but  that  it  is  the  best  that  could 
meet  the  unanimous  concurrence  of  the  States  in  Conven- 
tion;—  it  was  done  by  bargain  &  Compromise — yet — 
notwithstanding  its  imperfections,  on  the  adoption  of  it 
depends  (in  my  feeble  Judgment)  whether  we  shall  be- 
come a  respectable  nation  or  a  people  torn  to  pieces  by 
intestine  commotions  and  rendered  contemptable  for 
ages.  — 

Pleafe  to  prefent  my  most  respectful  regards  to  Mrs 
Gilman  —  My  love  to  my  friend  Tenney  &  Cousin  Ben :  of 
whose  return  I  was  very  glad  to  hear  — 

I  am  with  the  greatest  Eespect 
DrSir 

Your  Most  Obedient 
and 
Hon'ble  Humble  Servant 

Joseph  Gilman  Esq1"  Nich :  Gilman 


On  June  12th,  1787,  Joseph  Gilman  attended  the  open- 
ing day  of  the  Senate,  took  his  oath  and  was  immediately 
chosen  "Senior  Senator"  in  virtue  of  which  position  he 
"administered  the  oath  to  the  President,"  probably  the 
presiding  officer.     He  was  also  elected  one  of  the  five 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  155 

Councillors  for  New  Hampshire  for  the  next  year.  On 
the  27th,  Mr.  Gilman  was  put  on  a  committee  to  consider 
a  bill  "to  exempt  Bodies  of  debtors  from  prison  when 
there  is  sufficient  estate  tendered  to  satisfy  demands. ' ' x 
The  bill  was  presented  the  next  day  and  was  enacted. 
On  September  28th,  he  was  appointed  a  commissioner  to 
settle  Continental  accounts. 

From  this  time,  the  fall  of  1787,  when  everything  ap- 
peared to  be  going  well  with  him,  we  know  nothing  of  his 
affairs  until  we  find  him  leaving  Exeter  in  November, 
1788,  and  moving  with  his  wife  and  son,  a  young  man  of 
twenty-two,  to  the  new  settlement  on  the  Ohio  river, 
afterwards  called  Marietta,  then  in  the  North- West  Ter- 
ritory. It  seems  hardly  possible  that  the  brothers,  Tris- 
tram and  Josiah,  did  not  know  beforehand  of  the  change, 
but  I  have  not  been  able  to  find  any  letters  which  explain 
it.  It  is  said  that  the  Gilmans  were  proud  and  could  not 
endure  to  have  their  old  friends  in  Exeter  know  of  their 
changed  circumstances.  It  is  evident  that  financial  condi- 
tions forced  the  move.  The  uneasiness  evinced  in  some  of 
the  past  correspondence  about  the  new  Emission  money 
and  the  redemption  of  state  securities  and  their  conse- 
quent value,  shows  how  difficult  were  money  conditions 
immediately  after  the  Revolution. 

It  will  be  seen  later  that  Joseph  Gilman  was  a  creditor 
of  the  state  for  advances  on  clothing,  etc.,  which  he  had 
furnished  to  the  troops  and  this  debt  and  the  entire  col- 
lapse of  business  must  have  rendered  his  position  ex- 
tremely hard.  The  family  had  always  been  a  leading  one 
in  Exeter  and  it  would  be  natural  to  suppose  that  they 
did  not  like  to  reduce  their  scale  of  living  while  among 
their  old  neighbors.  In  the  Records  of  the  Original 
Proceedings  of  the  Ohio  Company,  edited  by  Archer 
Butler  Hulbert,  Professor  in  Marietta  College,  and  pub- 

i  N.  E.  State  Papers. 


156  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

lished  by  the  Marietta  Historical  Commission,  light  is 
thrown  on  this  subject  and  I  shall  quote  freely  from  the 
book. 

Rev.  Mannasseh  Cutler,  pastor  of  the  Ipswich,  Mass., 
church  (who,  with  Gen.  Rufus  Putnam,  Maj.  Winthrop 
Sargent,  John  Brooks  and  Thomas  Cushing,  all  of  Mass- 
achusetts, was  on  the  original  committee  to  draft  the 
plan  of  the  Ohio  Company)  gave  his  church  the  follow- 
ing reasons  for  his  emigration:  "I  had  suffered  ex- 
ceedingly in  ye  war  and  after  it  was  over,  by  paper  money 
and  ye  high  price  of  articles  of  living  .  .  .  Purchas- 
ing lands  in  a  new  country  appeared  to  be  y*  only  thing 
I  could  do  to  secure  a  living  to  myself,  and  family  in  that 
unsettled  state  of  public  affairs."1  Probably  Joseph 
Gilman  would  have  said  very  much  the  same  thing. 

After  his  departure  for  the  west,  the  legislature  passed 
a  resolution,  February  5,  1789,  as  follows:  "Whereas 
Joseph  Gilman,  Esqr,  one  of  the  Board  of  War,  has  left 
this  State  and  Joshua  Wentworth  &  John  Penhallow 
Esquires,  the  other  two  members  are  desirous  of  settling 
their  accounts  with  the  State,  Therefore  voted  that  Mr 
Nath11  Rogers,  Mr  Nath11  Peabody  &  Mr  James  Sheafe  or 
either  two  of  them  be  a  committee  to  receive  their  ac- 
counts; Examine  vouchers  &  state  the  accounts  &  make 
report  at  their  session."2  On  January  19,  1790,  the  ac- 
count of  "Joseph  Gilman  presented  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives by  his  son  Benj.  Ives  Gilman,  showed  a  bal- 
ance due  Joseph  Gilman  £7057.12/.6d.  paper  money  which 
allowing  for  value  at  time  of  expenditure  equals 
£182.  18/.0.  silver  money."3  The  committee  reported 
that  they  had  carefully  examined  the  vouchers  and  found 
them  "well  vouched  &  correctly  stated  &  more  accurately 
than  could  have  been  expected  in  so  complicated  a  Busi- 

i  Eecords  of  0.  P.  Ohio  Co.,  i,  lvii. 

2  N.  H.  State  Papers. 

3  Ibid. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  157 

ness,"1  On  January  21  another  report  approved  for 
payment  "cloathing  account"  for  the  year  1782  of  "the 
Committee  of  Safety,"  and  also  for  Mr.  Gilman's  "ser- 
vices at  6/.  Pr  day  £89.  1/.  lOd."  The  report  was  not 
concurred  in  by  the  Senate,  although  the  Lower  House 
approved  it.  Just  how  much  he  ever  received,  I  cannot 
tell,  but  the  last  amount,  £89.1/10d,  was  paid  him  on  June 
7,  1791. 

The  formation  of  the  Ohio  Company  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  events  of  our  history.     Prof.  Hulbert  says 
of   it:     ".     .     .    it   was    not   a   typical   land   company 
formed  primarily  for  speculation,  but  rather  the  New 
England  element  of  the  Continental  Line  attempting  to 
secure  its  due  by  assuming  the  guise  of  a  land  company 
to  which  Congress  could  make  its  first  sale  of  western 
land  under  the  excuse  that  the  national  debt  was  being 
paid."2      "As    an    agent    of    good    government,    as    a 
pioneer  influence  holding  out  its  hand  to  the  humble  and 
the  unfortunate,  as  the  representative  of  the  Government 
in  time  of  horror  and  disaster,  as  an  exponent  of  brother- 
hood, as  the  advocate  of  justice  and  righteousness  and 
civic  pride,  the  relationship  of  the  Ohio  Company  of  As- 
sociates to  the  first  men  and  women  of  Ohio  was  uniquely 
unselfish  and  thoroughly  American.     No  land  Company 
in  America  can  match  its  record  as  a  public  servant  in 
laying  the  foundation  of  an  American  State."3    "Were 
the  records  extant,  it  would  probably  prove  that  the  real 
springs  of  action     .     .     .     would  be  found  to  be  in  the 
military  and  Masonic  associations  which  bound  these  rev- 
olutionary officers  together ;  these  ties  extending  beyond 
state  boundaries,  included  officers  from  nearly  all  ad- 
jacent commonwealths."4    It  will  interest  us  to  see  how 

i.2V.  E.  State  Papers. 

2  Bee.  0.  P.  0.  Co.,  i,  xlviii. 

3  Ibid.,  cii. 

4  Ibid.,  xl. 


158  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

these  words  of  Prof.  Hulbert's  are  illustrated  by  our 
letters. 

Joseph  Gilman  was  not  an  incorporator  of  the  com- 
pany. He  arrived  in  Marietta  a  year  after  its  establish- 
ment and  his  name  does  not  even  appear  on  the  list  of 
shareholders,  although  his  son,  Benj.  Ives,  was  later  a 
member  of  the  Council  and  owned  two  shares.  He,  how- 
ever, took  a  principal  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  colony  at 
once  and  became  an  important  citizen.  This  is  evident 
from  the  records  and  we  can  read  much  of  his  character 
in  the  impression  made  by  him  on  the  little  community. 
He  was  put  on  a  committee  to  meet  the  governor,  Gen. 
Arthur  St.  Clair  and  to  "inform  him  of  the  House  pre- 
pared for  him  &  request  his  acceptance  thereof;"1  on 
another  to  ascertain  the  value  of  clearing  city(?)  lots 
and  the  "Ultimate  Grand  Division  of  Lands;"2  and  with 
Dudley  Woodbridge  and  Elijah  Backus  to  address  the 
' '  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  of  Washington 
Co.  on  our  present  defenceless  situation  &  report."3  He 
offered  to  build  a  Block  House  (familiar  to  him  from  the 
one  in  Exeter  owned  by  his  grandfather)  "on  the  lands 
granted  for  the  use  of  Fort  Harmar  and  not  otherwise 
appropriated ' ' 4  and  he  was  put  on  a  committee  to  lease 
the  public  squares  and  ornament  them,  planting  Marie 
Antoinette  square  with  mulberry,  elm,  honey  locust,  weep- 
ing willows,  etc. 

The  work  he  had  done  so  many  years  before  with  Mas- 
ter Leach  was  useful  now,  for  we  read,  November  17, 
1794,  "Joseph  Gilman  Esquire  one  of  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  Agents  of  the  Ohio  Company  to  make  a 
plan  of  the  Purchase  &  Rufus  Putnam  Esquire  Superin- 
tendent of  surveys,  Reported  to  the  board  the  following 

i  Bee.  O.  P.  O.  Co.,  ii,  126. 
^  Ibid.,  ii,  23. 
3  Ibid.,  71. 

*  ma.,  i2i. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  159 

state  of  facts  (Viz)  That  agreeably  to  Judge  Gilman's 
Calculation  of  the  Meanders  of  the  Ohio  River  alowing 
for  the  Sphereal  figure  of  the  earth  or  the  difference  of 
Miles,  making  a  Degree  of  Longitude  in  each  paralel  of 
Latitude,  The  Ohio  Companies  purchase  of  seven  Hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  Acres  aught  to  extend  on  the 
next  boundary  of  the  seventh  Range  of  townships,  North 
from  the  Ohio,  .  .  .  That  Judge  Gilmans  Calculation 
was  very  Minute  he  having  formed  tables  adapted  to  give 
the  smallest  proportion  of  variation,  while  General  Put- 
nams  Calculation  were  made  from  a  mean  proportion 
applied  Generally  to  all  the  Meanders  of  the  Ohio  River 
—  Whereupon  Resolved  that  Judge  Gilmans  Calculation 
shall  be  taken. ' ' * 

The  scene  of  these  letters  now  changes  to  Marietta.  At 
the  time  of  Joseph  Gilman's  departure  for  the  North- 
West  Territory  there  were  still  living  of  his  family,  his 
mother,  Mrs.  Nicholas  Gilman,  who  died  February  22, 
1789,  aged  seventy-six;  his  old  cousin,  Col.  Peter,  who 
died  December  1,  1788,  aged  eighty-five;  and  his  two 
brothers,  Tristram  and  Josiah,  who  lived  until  1809  and 
1801,  respectively. 

161 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman.2 

Marietta  11th  May  1789. 
Dear  Sir 

1  embrace  the  first  Opportunity  to  thank  you  for  your 
kindnefs  in  forwarding  Doctr  Tennys  Letter,  which  I 
found  on  my  arrival  here  the  8th  Ult°.  It  was  so  late  in 
the  feason,  when  we  arrived  at  the  Youghegany  River 
being  the  22d  November,  and  took  fo  long  to  build  a  Boat, 
that  we  were  Oblig'd  to  fpend  the  Winter  there,  we  were 
lucky  enough  to  procure  one  of  the  best  Cabbins  in  the 

i  Bee.  0.  P.  Co.,  ii,  229. 

2  The  Congress  of  the  United  States,  of  which  Nicholas  Gilman  was  a 

member,  met  in  New  York,  April  4,  1789,  for  their  first  session. 


160  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Settlement,  it  was  tight  &  warm,  and  fufficiently  large  to 
accommodate  the  whole  Family  Seven  in  number.  —  Mrs 
G.  bore  the  fatigues  of  the  Journey  remarkably  well,  and 
the  whole  family  have  enjoyd  almost  uninterrupted  health 
fince  we  left  Exeter.  —  I  fincerely  congratulate  you  on 
the  New  Government's  taking  effect,  and  that  you  are  a 
member  of  it.  Your  fituation  affords  you  the  earliest 
intelligence  from  every  quarter,  and  there  being  so  many 
persons  now  at  Nw  York  who  have  been  in  this  Country 
you  will  form  a  much  better  Idea  of  it  from  their  infor- 
mation, than  is  in  my  power  to  give  you  from  the  little 
time  I  have  been  here ;  all  that  I  can  fay  at  present  is  that 
my  expections  tho'  rais'd,  are  fully  satisfied.  Several 
fettlements  have  been  begun,  one  about  15  Miles  from  the 
City  up  Duck  Creek,  two  or  three  up  the  Muskingum,  and 
one  about  12  Miles  down  the  Ohio,  this  last  is  carried  on 
with  great  fpirit.  2  good  Block  houses  and  many  dwell- 
ing Houses  are  already  erected,  and  considerable  ground 
Cleared  —  You  will  doubtlefs  have  heard  before  this 
reaches  you  of  the  murder  of  one  man  at  this  Settlement 
Cap1  King  from  Newport  a  man  much  esteemed  here,  his 
lot  was  the  lowest  in  the  Settlement  and  imprudently  on 
the  30th  April  he  went  to  work  alone  %  mile  distant  from 
his  Mefsmates,  was  found  murdered,  fcalpd  and  ftripped 
to  his  Shirt  in  the  Afternoon  but  one  track  could  be  dis- 
coverd  &  this  a  Moggasin  one,  but  here  moggasins  are 
worn  by  whites  as  well  as  Indians,  from  many  circum- 
stances, it  seems  far  from  certain  that  the  murder  was 
committed  by  Indians.  The  furveyors  were  out  in  differ- 
ent quarters  at  the  time  but  faw  no  marks  of  Indians, 
should  no  further  mischief  take  place  soon,  Gent"  here 
who  seem  best  acquainted  with  Indians  &  their  manners, 
fay,  they  shall  be  at  no  lof s  but  the  murder  was  committed 
by  some  Vilain  of  a  hunter. 

This  is  certainly  a  most  delightful  Country  and  feems 
destind  in  time  to  be  a  very  great  one  —  I  doubt  not  it 
will  be  among  the  first  Objects  attended  to  by  the  New 
Government.  Judge  Parsons  arrived  here  on  Saturday 
last,  he  informs  that  Governor  Sl  Clair,  waits  for  the 
Arrangement  of  matters  before  he  fets  out  for  this  place. 
It  is  a  matter  of  delicacy  with  me,  and  what  I  should  by 
no  means  attempt,  was  not  I  afsured  by  One  of  the  first 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  161 

Characters  here,  there  was  no  impropriety  in  foliciting 
our  friends  in  Goverment  for  such  Offices  as  they  may 
judge  us  capable  of  filling,  whether  or  not  this  may  be  the 
case  respecting  the  Office  now  vacant  by  the  Death  of 
General  Varnum  and  your  humble  Servant,  is  left  entire- 
ly with  you,  all  that  I  shall  say  further  on  the  fubject  is, 
I  fhould  not  thought  of  it,  had  it  not  been  fuggested  by 
the  Gent"  alluded  to  above.  I  am  to  fet  out  this  morning 
in  Company  with  a  party  from  the  Garrison  to  take  a 
View  of  the  land  30  or  40  miles  down  the  Ohio.  On  my 
return  I  shall  be  better  Able  to  give  you  some  particular 
Account  of  the  Country  than  I  am  at  present. 

Mrs  G  &  Son  send  you  their  best  Wishes.  Please  to 
make  my  Compts  to  Gen1  Members  from  Nw  Hampse. 

I  am  with  great  esteem 

Your  Affectte  Friend  &  HumbIe  Servant 

Joseph  Gilman. 

162 

Before  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  went  west  with  his  parents 
he  had  fallen  in  love  with  Hannah  Robbins,  the  pretty 
step-granddaughter  of  his  father's  cousin,  Col.  Peter  Gil- 
man. There  used  to  be  a  window-pane  in  the  Gilman 
Garrison  House  on  which  Hannah  had  scratched  with  a 
diamond : 

"Honble  Peter  Gilman  Esqr  and  Mrs  Jane  Prince 
were  married  Sep1 1761 
Chandler  Robbins  and  Jane  Prince  were  married 

October  1761 
Thomas  Cary  and  Deborah  Prince  were  married 
Sept.  1783 

Hannah  Robbins  Apl  9th  1788" 

Col.  Peter  Gilman,  as  we  have  said,  died  in  December, 
1788,  and  thenceforward  his  widow  spent  her  time  be- 
tween the  homes  of  her  two  daughters,  Mrs.  Chandler 
Robbins  of  Plymouth  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Cary  of  New- 
buryport.  We  now  include  this  new  family  circle  in  the 
correspondence  and  an  explanation  of  the  people  men- 
tioned is  necessary. 


162  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Rev.  Chandler  Robbins  had  a  brother  and  four  sisters. 
His  brother  was  Rev.  Ammi  Ruhamah  Robbins,  of  Nor- 
folk, who  married  Elizabeth  LeBaron,  of  Plymouth,  and 
had  a  number  of  children :  Nathaniel ;  Ammi  R.,  Jr. ; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Grove  Lawrence;  Rev.  Thomas, 
the  Diarist;  Sarah,  who  married  Joseph  Battell,  of  Nor- 
folk; James  W. ;  Samuel,  and  Francis  LeBaron. 

His  sisters  were  Irene,  who  married  George  D.  Thomp- 
son, of  Halifax,  and  who  was  at  this  time  a  lively 
widow  with  two  sons;  Sarah,  who  married  Rev.  Peter 
Starr,  of  whose  sons  we  shall  hear  later;  Hannah  Re- 
becca, who  married  (1)  Rev.  John  Keep,  (2)  Jahleel 
Woodbridge ;  Rebecca  Hannah,  who  married  Dr.  William 
M.  Gould. 

The  LeBarons  married  into  the  Goodwin  family  of  Ply- 
mouth and  Dr.  Chandler  Robbins'  eldest  daughter,  Jane 
Prince,  in  marrying  Dr.  Francis  LeBaron  Goodwin,  in 
1787,  became  connected  with  the  family  of  her  aunt,  Mrs. 
Ammi  Ruhamah  Robbins.  Dr.  Goodwin  was  a  surgeon 
in  the  Revolution  and  shortly  after  this  time  moved  to 
Maine. 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hannah  Bobbins,  Plymouth, 
Mass. 

Altho'  I  do  not  consider  the  present  oppertunity  as  a 
proper  one,  by  any  means,  for  sending  you  my  sweet  girl 
a  line,  yet  so  great  is  my  inclination  for  writing  that  I 
cannot  help  hazarding  a  scrawl  by  a  common  traveller. 
Cap1  Bradford  who  with  his  Family  arrived  here  about  a 
week  since  from  Kingston  informed  me  that  your  good 
Pa'a's  Family  were  all  well  two  months  ago.  Judge 
what  pleasure  the  news  afforded  me  after  pafsing  eleven 
long  months  without  hearing  from  a  Family  in  whose 
happinefs  I  feel  my  own  most  intimately  connected.  I'm 
told  Mr  Goodwin  is  gone  to  Penobscot  with  a  view  of  mak- 
ing a  settlement.  I  wish  he  may  make  out  well,  but  I 
think  your  Sister  is  of  too  tender  a  make  to  undergo  the 
hardships  of  a  new  country  &  what  is  still  more  disagree- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  163 

able  a  severe  climate.     We  pafs  our  time  very  agreeably 
here  &  there  is  but  one  person  necefsary  to  compleat  our 
happinefs.     Mr  Storey  a  Young  Gentleman  from  Ipswich 
is  our  preacher  &  every  thing  I  afsure  you  wears  the 
appearance  of  a  much  older  settlement.     Those  people 
who  wish  it  have  not  only  the  necefsaries  but  the  luxuries 
of  life  in  as  great  plenty  here  as  in  N  England.     But  the 
generality  of  the  Settlers  are  content  for  the  present  to 
live  in  a  very  frugal  manner.     Our  Family  Dined  yester- 
day with   Secretary  Sargent  who  is  a  very  genteel  & 
friendly  man  &  is  lately  married  to  a  very  agreeable 
young  Lady.   Vegetation  is  much  more  rapid  in  this  coun- 
try than  I  had  any  Idea  of  &  the  longer  I  tarry  here  the 
more  I'm  pleas 'd  with  the  foil  &  Climate.     Our  Corn 
grows  beyond  expectation,  we  planted  the  2d  of  June 
without  ploughing  &  have  hoed  it  only  once  &  I  think  we 
shall  have  at  least  300  busls  from  6  acres  —  perhaps  you 
will  think  it  very  strange  for  a  young  man  to  pretend  to 
entertain  a  Lady  with  an  account  of  the  growth  of  corn 
&c,  but  when  you  consider  that  we  are  all  Farmers  in  this 
Country  you  will  pardon  the  presumption — I  feel  amaz- 
ingly anxious  to  return  to  New  England  but  as  there  are 
some  important  divisions  of  the  Lands  to  take  place  soon, 
I  cannot  determine  when  I  shall  set  off.    Let  me  conjure 
you  ever  amiable  Hannah  to  write  me  a  Line  by  the  first 
oppertunity.    I  afsure  you  that  if  I  do  not  receive  a  Let- 
ter soon  I  shall  conclude  that  you  have  forgotten  that 
there  is  a  person  at  Muskingum  who  once  pof sefsed  your 
friendship  &  whose  foul  is  ever  devoted  to  your  happi- 
nefs—  You  will  excuse  this  hasty  Scrawl  for  the  bearer 
(a  Mr  Bryent  of  Bridgwater)  is  impatient  to  be  on  his 
journey.  —  My  respectful  Compts  to  your  kind  Parents  — 
Mrs  Thompson,  Mrs  Goodwin  &c  &c  —  We  are  under  no 
apprehensions  from  the  Indians  they  have  done  no  dam- 
age since  the  unfortunate  murder  mentioned  in  my  last. 
Remember  your  unalterable 

friend  &  Sincere 

B:I:G 
Marietta  August  16th  1789  — 
NB  Col:  Sproat  &  Family  arrived  here  this  morning — 


164  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

163 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilnian,  New  York. 

Marietta  21st  Augst  1789. 
Dear  Sir 

It  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  I  embrace  this  first  op- 
portunity of  acknowledging  the  receit  of  your  kind  Letter 
of  the  20th  June,  it  came  to  hand  in  one  Month  from  the 
date.  Since  I  wrote  you,  have  been  about  40  miles  down 
River,  from  what  I  have  seen  myself  and  information 
recd  from  a  number  of  respectable  Gentn  who  have  had 
opportunities  of  exploring  allmost  the  whole  of  the  Lands 
purchas'd  by  the  Ohio  Company  I  am  fully  satisfied  of 
their  goodnefs.  I  believe  it  may  be  justly  said  that  the 
bigger  half  of  the  whole  are  excellent  notwithstand  so 
many  reports  to  the  contrary ;  it  is  true  the  general  face 
of  the  Country  near  the  Rivers  is  hilly,  that  many  of  them 
are  fteep  &  some  of  them  allmost  inaccefsable  from  the 
Rivers,  yet  there  is  few  of  them  barren,  the  greatest  part 
are  covered  with  the  finest  Timber  Trees,  and  will  when 
wanted  make  most  excellent  Wheat  &  pasture  Land.  The 
Soil  &  Climate  are  exceeding  well  adapted  for  the  cultiva- 
tion of  all  kinds  of  Fruit,  peach  Apple  &  pear  Trees  have 
the  most  promising  appearance,  many  thousands  have 
been  fet  out  this  Season  —  fome  of  which  blofsom'd  this 
Year  and  doubtlefs  will  bear  fruit  the  next.  Melons  here 
are  in  the  greatest  perfection  I  ate  part  of  one  Yesterday 
at  Major  Sargents,1  that  measured  18  inches  long  21 
round  &  weighed  14  pounds,  this  was  of  the  common  kind 
but  very  good,  but  I  think  no  fruit  can  exceed  the  Canta- 
lupe  Romania  &  China  of  all  which  I  have  often  ate  at  his 
house ;  while  I  have  been  writing  this  he  is  arrived  with 
his  wife  on  a  Visit  &  sends  you  his  compliments.  Mrs  Sar- 
gent is  a  well  bred  agreeable  young  Lady,  we  esteem 
them  the  first  of  our  Friends  here.  We  are  in  no  want 
of  company  and  have  fome  that  are  very  agreeable. 

I  return  you  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  kind  manner  in 
which  you  have  been  pleas 'd  to  Interest  yourself  in  my 

1  Col.  Winthrop  Sargent  was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the 
Ohio  Colony,  afterwards  secretary  to  the  governor,  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair, 
and  later  still,  governor  of  Mississippi.  This  Mrs.  Sargent  was  his  second 
wife,  a  widow,  Mrs.  Mary  (Mackintosh)  Williams. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  165 

behalf,  I  had  little  hopes  of  succef s  when  I  wrote  you,  lefs 
when  I  recd  your  Letter,  and  lefs  fince  Col  Sprouts  ar- 
rival, he  informs  a  Mr  Bowen  from  Rhode  Ifland  was 
foliciting,  but  let  the  Event  turn  as  it  may  I  feel  myself 
under  great  obligations  to  You.  perhaps  something  else 
may  turn  up,  tho  I  do  not  know  of  anything  at  present. 

Since  I  wrote  you  we  have  enjoyed  perfect  peace,  and 
nattered  ourselves  that  we  should  enjoy  it  uninterrupt- 
edly thro'  the  Season,  till  yesterday  Mr  Matthews  one 
of  our  Surveyors  returned  from  a  tour  down  River  where 
he  has  been  employed  the  greatest  part  of  the  fummer,  & 
informs  us  that  14  days  before  about  fun  rise  in  the 
morning  his  party  was  attacked  first  by  the  fire  of  2  Guns 
by  which  a  Young  man  belonging  to  Connecticut  by  the 
name  of  Pachin  was  fhot  thro'  the  Body,  this  rous'd  the 
Soldiers  who  were  fitting  &  lying  on  their  Blankets,  im- 
mediately a  Volly  was  fired  by  the  Enemy  and  so  true 
was  their  aim  that  6  foldiers  were  killed  Mr  Matthews,  a 
Corporal  &  two  others  made  their  escape  to  a  neighboring 
Hill  &  from  thence  to  the  Ohio  from  which  they  were  dis- 
tant about  4  miles  &  about  25  miles  below  the  Mouth  of 
the  great  Kanawa,  whether  these  Indians  were  out  a 
hunting,  or  were  a  party  on  their  way  to  or  from  Ken- 
tucke  is  uncertain,  the  place  where  our  people  were  killed 
(I  understand)  was  near  one  of  the  great  War  Paths  from 
the  Indian  Country  to  Kentucke.  It  is  said  the  Kentuck- 
ians  have  march 'd  in  force  against  the  Indians  of  the 
Wabash  or  Omi  Tribes.  I  am  in  hopes  af  soon  as  Con- 
grefs  get  pofsefsion  of  the  Out  Posts  a  final  end  will  be 
put  to  this  disagreeable  businefs.  The  Report  here  is 
that  head  Quarters  are  to  be  moved  from  Fort  Harmar 
to  the  Miamis  and  that  the  General  will  be  ordered  down 
this  Autumn,  we  fhall  be  forry  to  lose  so  many  of  our  new 
acquaintances  especially  the  General  and  his  lady,  Cap- 
tains Prat  &  Cap.  Strong  &  Lady. 

Mrs  Gilman  &  Son  join  me  in  their  best  wishes  for  your 
welfare. 

Accept  my  thanks  for  the  Newspapers  —  And  believe 
me  to  be —  with  the  greatest  esteem 

Dear  Sir 
Your  Kinsman  & 

humble  Servant  J.  Gilman. 


166  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

P.  S.  Pray  present  my  most  respectful  Compliments  to 
Mr  Langdon,  Mr  Wingate,  Mr  Livermore,  and  particular7 
to  your  Brother  J  T,1  if  at  New  York  &  tell  him  I  fhould 
be  extremely  glad  to  receive  a  Letter  from  him. 

164 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman,  New  York. 

Marietta  Septemr  21st  1789. 
Dear  Sir 

My  last  bearing  date  August  2d  in  answer  to  your  kind 
favor  of  June  20th  I  committed  to  the  care  of  Lieut1 
Frothingham  of  General  Harmers  Reg1  who  was  bound  to 
New  York  desiring  him  to  put  it  into  the  post  Office  at 
Pittsbourg  since  which  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of 
hearing  from  you.  I  have  just  been  informed  that  Mr 
Parsons,  son  to  the  Judge  is  to  fet  out  to  morrow  morn- 
ing and  will  probably  go  through  New  York,  I  could  not 
omit  so  favourable  an  opportunity  had  I  nothing  more  to 
fay  than  to  repeat  my  thanks  for  your  kind  endeavours 
for  serving  my  Interest 

A  certain  Mr  McCormick  arrived  here  a  day  or  two  ago 
from  Washington  in  Pensilvania  he  informs,  that  he  saw 
in  a  Pittsbourg  Paper  among  the  proceedings  of  Con- 
grefs  that  a  Land  Office  was  established  by  Congrefs 
for  the  sale  of  the  Lands  in  the  Western  Territory, 
but  I  cannot  learn  that  he  can  give  any  particular  Ac- 
count of  the  matter.  The  Agents  of  the  Ohio  Company 
have  granted  a  Tract  of  about  3000  Acres  to  30  Afso- 
ciates  at  a  place  called  the  long  bottom  about  32  Miles 
from  this  place  down  the  River  in  which  I  have  two 
Shares.  These  Lands  contain  part  of  the  Townships  N° 
2  &  N°  3  in  the  11th  Range  — in  Township  N°  3,  Lot  N°  8 
reserved  by  Congrefs  lies  its  whole  length  on  the  Ohio 
and  contains  (being  a  Fractional  part)  about  500  Acres. 
This  Lot  divides  our  proposed  Settlement  and  my  Shares 
are  likely  to  fall  above  it,  or  up  Stream ;  if  this  Lot  could 
be  obtained  it  would  be  a  great  advantage  to  the  fettle- 
ment  in  general  and  to  me  in  particular.  —  I  have  there- 
fore to  request  the  favour  of  your  fecuring  this  Lot  for 

i  John  Taylor  Gilman,  afterwards  governor  of  New  Hampshire. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  167 

me,  if  it  is  in  your  power  — My  Son  proposes  to  fet  out 
in  about  a  Month  for  New  England  and  intends  taking 
New  York  in  his  Rout,  — if  nothing  more  can  be  done 
fhould  be  glad  the  preemtion  might  be  fecured  till  he  ar- 
rives, as  in  connection  with  the  other  Land  it  is  with  me 
an  object  of  considerable  magnitude,  tho  to  a  person  not 
interested  in  the  other  Lands  it  would  be  of  little  Value. 

I  am  forry  to  give  you  so  much  trouble  about  my  Af- 
fairs, but  have  no  other  excuse  to  make  but  the  necef  sity 
of  the  case  — Mrs  G.  and  Son  are  well  — and  as  to  myself 
I  have  enjoyed  better  health  fince  I  left  New  England 
than  I  have  in  any  one  Year  for  20  past. 

I  am  with  great  esteem 

Your  friend  &  humble  Servant 

Joseph  Gilman. 
P.  S.  Nothing  has  transpired  here  respecting  filling  the 
vacancy  mentiond  in  my  former  Letter.  I  wait  the 
event  with  patience,  my  hopes  not  being  great,  conse- 
quently my  disappointm1  cannot  be  so  —  Should  I  mifs 
this,  and  any  thing  else  should  offer,  your  kind  af sistance 
will  be  a  fresh  obligation  laid  on  your  humble  Servant. 

J  G 
please  to  Accept  Mrs  G.  and  fons  cordial  Compliments. 

165 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman,  New  York. 

Marietta  23d  Feby  1790. 

Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  you  in  September  last  by  young  Mr  Parsons, 
since  which  your  very  obliging  Letter  of  October  5th 
came  safe  to  hand,  this  was  brought  down  River  by  Mr 
Parsons,  but  before  you  could  have  recd  mine.  We  were 
very  sorry  to  hear  of  your  indisposition.  The  disorder 
you  had  penetrated  quite  through  the  Country  from  N 
York  to  this  place,  very  few  here  escaped.  Mrs  G  had  her 
full  fhare  was  confined  nearly  a  month,  but  has  been  since 
&  now  is  very  well.  We  have  the  pleasure  of  hearing  by 
Captn  Thompson  (the  bearer  of  this)  that  you  had  ar- 
rived at  N  York  before  he  left  it,  and  that  you  were  well. 
Capt  Thompson  brought  me  a  Letter  from  Ben  dated  at 


168  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

N  York  the  29th  Novemr  this  was  the  first  News  we  had 
from  him  after  he  left  Shippensburg.  The  Winter  has 
been  very  moderate,  neither  the  Ohio  nor  Muskingum 
have  been  frozen,  but  for  about  six  weeks  past  all  inter- 
course up  and  down  River  has  been  interrupted  by  the 
floating  Ice,  and  within  these  few  days  we  have  had  a 
greater  fresh  than  ever  was  known  by  any  of  the  Settlers 
in  this  County.  Our  Point  which  has  been  so  celebrated 
for  its  beauty,  and  so  coveted  by  many  that  a  fingle  City 
Lot  of  about  Vz  of  an  Acre  has  been  fold  for  90  Dollars, 
was  wholly  under  water,  and  for  several  days  no  Com- 
munication with  them  could  be  had  but  in  Canoes.  The 
water  must  have  rose  8  feet  perpendicular  higher  to  have 
come  to  our  house  which  is  %  Mile  from  the  point,  and 
two  ftreets  back  from  the  Muskingum. 

Decern1-  12th  Governour  Sl  Clair  arrived  here,  and  on 
the  30th  fail'd  for  Kaskaskias,  during  his  stay  here,  I  was 
frequently  in  his  company,  dined  with  him  feveral  times, 
once  at  his  own  house,  he  treated  me  with  great  polite- 
nefs  and  affability,  did  me  the  honour  of  appointing  me 
a  Justice  of  Peace  &  unus  Quorum,  Justice  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  —  and  before  he  left  the  place  Judge  of 
Probate  during  the  absence  of  Judge  Putnam.  Had  I 
been  so  fortunate  as  to  have  got  down  River  before  he 
left  this  for  N  York  I  think  with  you,  I  might  have  ftood 
a  good  chance  for  the  other  Office.  He  was  pleased  on 
my  thanking  him  for  the  honor  he  had  done  me,  to  reply, 
that  "he  wished  it  was  in  his  power  to  give  me  fomething 
more  permanent,  that  he  felt  a  very  great  inclination  to 
f erve  me,  for  tho '  our  acquaintance  was  fhort,  he  was  no 
ftranger  to  my  character." 

The  Governour  expected  to  have  met  Judge  Turner 
here  and  that  both  he  and  Judge  Parsons  would  have  at- 
tended him  in  his  Tour,  the  fate  of  the  latter  must  have 
reached  you  long  before  this  time.  The  Laws  which  have 
been  enacted  here  are  good,  but  we  fuffer  greatly  for 
want  of  others,  our  prospect  of  relief  is  distant,  the  Gov1" 
will  be  absent  at  least  fix  months  and  another  Judge  must 
be  appointed  before  anything  can  be  done  for  us,  as  Judge 
Symms  has  too  much  businefs  of  his  own  at  the  Miamis 
to  admit  of  his  fpending  much  time  here,  where  the  Seat 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  169 

of  Government  will  be  (I  think)  for  fome  time.  Whether 
further  application  in  my  behalf  will  be  proper  I  leave 
entirely  to  your  friendship  and  better  judgment.  The 
conjecture  here,  I  find  is,  that  Gen1  Putnam  or  Mr  Cutler 
will  be  appointed,  no  one,  Col  Sproat  excepted  knows  I 
was  ever  on  the  list,  this  he  informed  me  he  had  from  Mr 
Lear. 

I  hope  in  my  next  to  entertain  you  with  something 
more  pleasing  than  my  own  Affairs.  Mrs  G  admires  this 
country,  the  temperance  of  the  Climate  and  finging  of 
birds  in  Winter  charm  her.  fhe  joins  in  most  cordial 
Wishes  for  your  happiness  with 

Dear  Sir  Your  Friend  and 
P.  S.  Servant  J  Gilman. 

Please  to  present  my  Compliments  to  Mefs  Livermore 
&  Foster.    Mr  Langdon  &  Mr  Wingate,  my  best  regards  to 
your  Brothers  J  T  &  Nat.    I  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing 
a  Letter  to  my  Son. 
Honourable 

Nicholas  Gilman  Esquire 
Member  of  Congrefs 
New  York 


166 
Mrs.  Peter  Gilman  to  Patty  Rogers.1 

erbur.  [Newburyport] 
dear  Patty 

I  Received  your  agreeable  letter  by  Mr  Gilman  it  all- 
ways  gives  me  plasuer  to  hear  of  your  wellfare  which  I 
ever  regard  with  the  tenderest  concern,  it  gratifys  & 
pleses  me  that  your  visit  to  Boston  was  made  so  agreeable 
&  profeetable  by  many  valuable  presents  &  finding  your 
brothers  &  other  friends  well.  your  being  perticuler  af- 
fords me  satisfaction  in  reading  or  hearing  any  good 
that  falls  to  your  share,    we  all  expected  to  see  you  on 

i  Patty  Rogers  was  a  daughter  of  Mrs.  Peter  Gilman  's  Exeter  pastor, 
Rev.  Daniel  Rogers,  whom  Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  makes  fun  of  in  a  letter, 
October  10,  1772.  He  was  minister  of  the  Second  Parish,  started  by  those 
in  sympathy  with  the  Whitefield  movement  in  1743. 


170  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

your  return  from  boston  the  young  Bobbins  seemd  much 
disapionted  however  as  it  was  not  in  your  power  we  ex- 
cuse you.  I  expect  to  go  to  plymouth  the  last  of  this 
mounth  but  the  though18  of  takeing  so  longe  a  Journey  at 
my  time  of  life  &  in  my  feabel  state  allmost  discorages 
me  from  attempting  it  however  I  hope  I  may  return  here 
again  Should  be  glad  to  see  you  before  I  go  if  it  sutes 
your  converntes  — 

Mr  Cary  set  out  on  a  Journey  yesterday  for  new  york 
for  his  health  with  his  Uncle  Cary  at  Charlstown  it  was 
the  advise  of  all  his  friends  that  he  should  take  this  op- 
portunity as  it8  a  fine  Season  —  it  will  be  very  maloncholy 
for  Debby  to  be  left  alone  in  Mr  Carys  absence  &  I  leve 
her  with  regret  —  here  we  have  no  certain  doeelling  place 
&  may  we  seecke  one  to  come  that  has  a  sure  foundation 
living  religion  is  a  grand  reality  the  power  of  Jesus  upon 
the  heart  will  inffluence  the  chiristen  to  live  in  the  fear  of 
god  —  Mrs  Cary  joins  me  in  our  affectiont6  regards  to  you 
&  Mr  [illegible]  &  beleve  me  your  truely  affec*  frind 

Jane  Gilman 

167 

Ben  j.  Ives  Gilman  went  east  early  in  this  year  and  was 
married  in  Plymouth,  February  4,  1790,  to  Hannah  Rob- 
bins.  They  stayed  in  New  England  until  June  when 
they  started  across  the  mountains  on  horseback.  We 
have  a  vivid  description  of  the  perils  of  the  journey 
twenty-nine  years  later  (1817)  and  the  conditions  of 
travel  must  have  been  much  worse  at  this  time. 

Ben  j.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman,  New  York. 

Boston  February  27th  1790. 
Dear  Sir 

The  repeated  instances  of  politenefs  and  friendship 
you  have  shewn  our  family,  induces  me  to  forward  to 
your  care  Sir,  a  large  packet  to  my  father.  — As  an  apol- 
ogy_  for  my  giving  you  this  trouble,  Sir,  I  mention  my 
having  had  the  pleasure  of  effecting  a  settlement  of  my 
fathers  accounts  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  War.  Con- 
trary to  the  expectation  of  the  General  Court,  particu- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  171 

larly  the  Portsmouth  interest  (who  most  cordially  hate 
every  person  connected  with  Exeter)  the  Committee  re- 
ported a  Balance  due  my  father.  This  is  a  piece  of  intel- 
ligence that  will  afford  my  good  parents  the  greatest 
satisfaction,  which  makes  me  more  anxious  to  have  a 
speedy  and  safe  conveyance. 

I  was  much  disappointed  in  not  having  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you  at  Exeter  —  my  father  wrote  sometime  since, 
respecting  purchasing  a  reserved  Lot  of  Land,  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Publick.  If  these  reserved  lots  should  be  for 
sale  Sir,  you  will  lay  a  fresh  obligation  on  us  by  giving 
early  information  —  the  one  mentioned  above  is  contigu- 
ous to  a  part  of  our  land  and  would  be  a  very  convenient 
addition  —  it  Contains  about  300  acres  —  If  my  father 
should  send  any  Letters  to  your  kind  care  Sir,  I  shall  be 
much  obliged  if  you  will  forward  them  to  your  brother 
Nath1  at  Exeter.  I  am  Sir  with  respect  &  esteem 
Your  obliged  &  very  humb  Ser* 

Ben  Ives  Gilman. 

168 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman,  Mari- 
etta, Ohio. 

Plymouth  June  6th,  1790. 

Will  my  dear  Mrs  Gilman  give  me  leave  to  addrefs  her, 
upon  a  painfull  subject  to  me?  That  of  parting  with  my 
dear  Child,  I  once  pleas 'd  myfelf  with  the  fond  expecta- 
tion that  my  Children,  (particularly  my  daughters) 
would  live  near  me  and  be  the  solace  of  my  declining 
years. 

"How  I  dreamt,  of  Joys  perpetual,  in  perpetual 
change. ' ' 

A  firm  belief  that  perfect  wisdom  and  love  authorizes 
evry  event  stills  my  mind,  and  is  my  only  anchor  in  the 
storms  of  Life,  happy  should  I  be  if  this  thought  was 
always  impref s  'd  on  my  mind ;  and  always  influenced  my 
conduct.  I  then  should  not  be  too  much  elated,  with  prof- 
perity,  or  depref s  'd  with  adversity. 

Hannah  will  be  happy  in  a  companion  I  have  not  the 
least  doubt,  his  disposition  I  know,  is  amiable,  not  a  cir- 


172  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

cumstance  that  is  not  agreable  but  when  I  think  of  the 
distance.  —  all  the  fortitude  I  am  pofsefs'd  of  is  too  little 
to  supprefs  the  starting  tear. 

I  wish  the  connection  may  add  greatly  to  the  happynef  s 
of  your  family.  I  ask  leave  to  commend  her  to  you  as  a 
Child,  I  speak  with  confidence  when  I  say  I  know  you  will 
be  a  mother  to  her.  You  know  the  hopes,  and  fears,  of  a 
parents  heart,  0 !  how  many  avenues  for  pleasure,  and 
pain,  I  impose  silence  on  my  pen,  I  don't  know  where  it 
will  stop  on  this  subject. 

My  Mother1  desirs  her  most  affectionate  regards  to 
you,  she  has  injoy'd  her  health  the  winter  pas'd,  as  the 
hot  weather  comes  on,  she  is  very  languid.  It  is  a  great 
satisfaction  to  have  her  with  me,  to  have  it  in  my  power 
to  contribute  to  her  comfort. 

My  regards  to  Mr  Gilman  in  which  Mr  Bobbins  joins, 
he  intended  writing  to  him  but  Company  has  prevented 

With  evry  sintiment  of  esteem  I  subscribe  your  sin- 
cere friend  Jane  Bobbins 


169 
Mrs.  Francis  Le  Baron  Goodwin  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives 
Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plymouth  June  12th  1790. 
My  Dear  Sister 

You  will  be  agreably  fuprisd  to  see  the  Bearer  of  this 
Letter.2  Our  dear  Brother  was  so  disappointed  in  not 
seeing  you  before  you  went  your  Journey,  that  he  was 
quite  unhappy,  he  could  neither  Eat,  Drink,  or  Sleep,  (as 
the  saying  is)  at  last  determined  to  persue  you  if  he  went 
to  the  Ohio  —  after  you.  We  all  encouraged  the  Motion 
knowing  it  would  be  an  Unspeakable  Satisfaction  to  you ; 
&  a  Gratification  to  us.  0  My  dear  that  Horrid  never  to 
be  forgotten  Morning  of  our  Seperation.  Such  Pangs  I 
am  sure  I  never  experienced  before.  But  I  will  not 
think.    You  have  a  good  &  Affectionate  Husband  that 

i  Mrs.   Chandler  Bobbins  's  mother  was  Jane  Bethune,  who  married 
(1)  Capt.  Moses  Brince  and  (2)  Col.  Beter  Gilman. 
2  Isaac  Bobbins,  Hannah 's  next  younger  brother. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  173 

will  do  all  in  his  Power  to  difpell  any  gloomy  Idea's  that 
arise  to  disturb  you,  &  we  must  be  Contented.  You  will 
be  happy  to  see  Our  dear  Brother  —  who,  I  think,  gives  a 
strong  Proof  of  Fraternal  Affection.  Hope  he  will  not 
come  in  upon  you  very  Suddenly  —  I  fear  the  111  Conse- 
quences of  Sup  rise  —  in  your  Critical  Situation.  Do  be 
Careful  of  yourself  —  hope  you  bore  Journeying  well  — 
Pray  write  me  by  My  Br  write  particularly,  every  thing  I 
want  to  know,  or  should  ask  you  in  Private.  Do  my  Dear 
sifter  write  me  by  every  Oppertunity.  You  cannot  think 
what  a  Satisfaction  it  will  be  to  me,  when  in  at  Penobscot, 
where  I  shall  Certainly  go  —  if  I  live  —  Early  in  the  Fall. 
I  had  a  letter  from  my  dearest  b . . .  Chandler 2  he  says 
Bid  Mr  Gillman  &  Isaac  good  bye  —  &  God  Bless  them  — 
&  Kifs  Hannah  for  me,  tell  them  I  am  sorry  I  cannot  see 
them  —  But  wifh  them  every  Blefsing.  it  is  late  —  I 
must  conclude  —  May  the  All  Gracious  God  Be  with  & 
Blef s  you  &  Yours  —  More  particularly  support  you  in  an 
Hour  of  deftref s  &  Peril. 

Tell  Mr  Gillman  I  love  him  much  have  time  to  say  no 
more. 

Your  Affectionate  Sifter      J.  Goodwin. 


170 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman. 

Marietta  16th  June  1790. 
Dear  Sir 

My  last  bore  date  Feby  23d  and  was  in  answer  to  yours 
of  the  5th  October  last,  this  I  forwarded  by  a  Captain 
Thompson  who  brought  Dispatches  for  the  Governor  and 
General  Harmar  since  which  I  have  recd  your  agreeable 
favour  dated  January  2d  and  on  the  2d  instant  I  recd  a 
packet  from  my  son  and  the  N  York  papers  you  were  so 
obliging  as  to  inclose  —  but  no  Letter,  from  which  cir- 
cumstance I  fear  mine  by  Thompson  had  not  reached 
you — This  gives  me  pain,  not  that  my  Letter  contained 
anything  very  interesting  to  either  of  us,  but  the  fear  lest 
you  should  think  I  decline  cultivating  a  correspence  so 

2  Chandler  Robbins,  Jr.,  the  eldest  brother. 


174  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

much  in  every  respect  to  my  advantage  —  We  had  the 
pleasure  to  hear  by  Judge  Putnam  that  you  were  well 
when  he  left  N  York  —  his  Appointment,  his  appointment, 
puts  an  end  of  all  hopes  from  that  quarter  —  At  the  same 
time  it  confirms  to  me  the  Office  of  Judge  of  Probate  to 
which  I  was  appointed  by  the  Governour  during  his  ab- 
sence —  This  with  my  Commif sion  of  Judge  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  takes  up  much  of  my  time  and  is  of 
some  though  no  great  emolument,  but  will  increase  as  the 
Country  settles  —  whether  this  increase  will  be  rapid  in 
proportion  to  that  of  the  Country  down  the  Ohio,  or  slow 
as  it  has  hitherto  been,  depends  intirely  on  our  Fathers 
the  Congrefs.  Could  the  Indians  be  brought  to  such 
terms  either  by  chastizement  or  treaty,  as  it  would  be 
safe  to  fettle  our  Lands  from  20  to  40  Miles  from  the 
Rivers  Ohio  &  Muskingum,  I  think  in  a  very  few  Years 
we  should  be  entitled  to  a  Seat  in  Congrefs.  Yesterday 
to  our  inexprefsible  joy  and  fatisfaction,  Major  Doughty 
and  Captain  Hart  arrived  from  a  long  tour  of  5  Months 
in  the  Indian  Country.  We  had  frequent  Reports  that 
the  Major  &  his  Party  were  cut  off  by  the  Savages  —  He 
was  attacked  on  the  Tennese  River  by  40  Indians  in  4 
Canoes  and  had  all  his  men  killed  or  wounded  but  four, 
the  Indians  continued  to  pursue  him  for  four  hours,  and 
then  left  him,  but  as  you  will  have  every  particular  from 
him  by  the  person  who  carries  this. 

I  expect  my  Son  with  his  Spouse  is  now  on  the  Road 
and  that  we  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  receiving  them  in 
the  course  of  this  month.  Excuse  my  not  enlarging  at 
this  time,  as  the  Boat  that  carries  Major  Doughtys  Dis- 
patches is  now  ready  to  depart. 

Mrs  G  joins  me  in  most  cordial  wishes  for  your  health 
and  happiness.  Adieu  J.  Gilman. 

Wednesday  Afternoon. 

You,  my  dear  Sir,  will  excuse  the  inconectnefs  of  the 
foregoing,  when  I  afsure  you  I  had  but  a  few  minutes 
to  write,  being  informed  that  the  Boat  would  leave  the 
Garrison  early  in  the  morning  and  besides  being  obliged 
to  attend  our  Court  of  Common  Pleas  now  fetting.  This 
will  be  handed  you  by  Mr  John  Morgan  fon  of  Col.  Mor- 
gan of  N  Jersey,  he  is  a  Cadet  in  General  Harmars  Regi- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  175 

ment,  and  is  much  esteemed  by  the  Officers  and  by  all  his 
acquaintances  —  is  well  acquainted  with  this  Country  in 
General  From  him  you  may  receive  much  information 
respects  this  Country,  he  is  very  intimate  in  our  Family, 
and  can  give  information  of  any  little  particulars  you 
may  wish  to  know  respecting  our  fituation,  manner  of  life 
&c  &c.  Any  attentions  paid  to  him  while  in  New  York 
will  add  to  the  Obligations  I  am  already  under  and  will 
be  properly  acknowledged  by  me.  The  Governour  &  Sec- 
retary Major  Sargent  left  this  Place  the  30th  of  Decem- 
ber for  Kaskaskias,  in  this  Grand  tour,  'twas  proposed 
to  visit  all  the  Settlements  in  this  wide  extended  Govern- 
ment.—  I  received  a  Letter  Yesterday  by  Major  Doughty 
from  my  good  Friend  Major  Sargent  dated  at  Cayhokia 
April  30th,  he  informs  me  they  were  waiting  for  the 
Judges  Symms  &  Turner  to  proceed  on  their  businefs. 
Major  Doughty  thinks  they  will  not  return  before  the 
month  of  October.  The  Secretary  is  on  the  best  terms 
with  the  Governour  —  and  is  so  much  my  friend  that 
should  anything  turn  up  worthy  acceptance  I  think  so  far 
as  depends  on  those  Gentlemen  I  shall  have  the  offer  of  it 
in  preference  to  any  person  now  in  this  quarter.  The 
Office  to  which  young  Mr  Parsons  was  appointed  and  now 
holds  of  recorder  of  Deeds  in  this  County,  is  the  only  one 
I  know  of  at  present  —  fhould  he  not  return  and  fettle  in 
this  County,  as  I  think  it  probable  he  will  not,  will  be  to 
disposed  of  —  I  think  will  be  worth  attention,  and  may 
be  had  unlefs  promised  conditionally  to  another  person, 
previous  to  his  and  my  arrival  here.  I  am  informed  his 
views  are  to  be  appointed  Secretary  to  a  Land  office, 
should  one  be  established  in  this  Country,  and  that  he 
went  fo  far  as  to  make  overtures  of  selling  out  his  Com- 
mifsion  before  he  left  us  —  this  appears  probable  to  me 
as  he  is  a  Speculater  of  the  first  order,  far  exceeding  his 
late  father,  yea  so  far  exceeding  him,  as  he  exceeded  com- 
mon men  —  A  propos  of  Speculation  —  This  Country 
opens  a  boundlefs  field,  and  I  think  the  foundation  for 
plentiful  fortunes  may  be  easily  laid  by  a  prudent  per- 
son, whose  genius  leads  him  that  way — but  as  it  is  en- 
tirely out  of  my  line  —  wishing  for  nothing  more  than  a 
good  farm  —  I  shall  content  myself  if  I  can  obtain  the 


176  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Congress  Lot  mentioned  in  my  former  Letter  —  or  one 
up  the  Muskingum  about  15  Miles  as  the  River  runs  and 
12  by  Land  from  this  place,  which  I  will  mark  out  in  the 
Plan  which  I  intend  forwarding  in  my  next.  Our  furveys 
are  not  yet  complete,  as  soon  as  they  I  will  lose  no  time 
in  making  out  and  forwarding  to  you  accurate  plans  of 
the  Rivers  and  principal  parts  of  the  Land  in  the  Ohio 
Purchase.  Provisions  have  been  fcarce  and  dear  in  this 
Settlement,  owing  to  great  quantities  of  Indian  Corn  be- 
ing cut  off  by  an  early  frost  last  Crop  both  here  and  up 
the  River',  and  very  large  quantities  fhipped  for  New 
Orleans  where  Flour  has  been  current  this  Year  at  20 
Dol  P  barrell.  But  our  prospects  of  Wheat  &  Rye  are 
now  good  the  latter  will  be  fit  for  the  fickle  in  2  or  3 
weeks.  The  people  are  industrious  year  beyond  any- 
thing I  ever  faw  in  the  Eastern  States  —  And  there  is 
more  than  three  times  the  Indian  Corn  planted  than  will 
be  fumcient  for  the  present  Inhabitants  for  another  fea- 
son  including  what  will  be  necefsary  to  fatten  our  fwine. 
We  have  now  plenty  of  vegetables  as  Peas  Beans  &c  in 
our  earliest  Gardens,  some  of  our  early  or  Canada  Corn 
has  put  out  for  Ear.  I  have  in  my  Garden  a  few  Peas 
up  which  were  planted  from  feed  of  this  years  growth, 
tho  the  first  crop  was  not  planted  till  the  29th  March  and 
are  on  a  flat  Land  no  way  remarkable  for  early  vegeta- 
tion. 

In  fhort  I  am  more  and  more  pleased  with  the  Coun- 
try—  so  kind  a  foil  and  fo  temperate  a  Climate,  capti- 
vates every  attentive  mind  —  We  want  but  two  things  to 
make  us  completely  happy  —  The  Absence  or  a  perma- 
nent peace  with  the  Natives  —  and  the  presence  of  those 
choice  friends  we  left  behind  —  that  we  shall  fee  many  of 
them  here  in  a  few  years  I  doubt  not,  though  I  much  fear 
whether  you  my  dear  Sir  among  the  number  —  but  how- 
ever this  may  be,  may  the  best  of  Heavens  blefsings  at- 
tend you  wherever  you  are. 

Yours  fincerely  J  Gilman. 

My  best  Respects  to  Your  brothers  —  Also  to  Mr  Liver- 
more  Mr  Foster  &  Mr  Wingate  —  fhall  write  to  them  as  I 
have  opportunity. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  177 

171 
Mrs.  Peter  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman,  Mari- 
etta, Ohio. 

Plymouth  Novr  29  1790 

My  dear  grandaughter 

I  find  no  distance  of  time  or  place  can  make  me  un- 
mindfull  of  one  so  near  &  dear  to  me  as  you  are  I  found 
it  a  great  tryal  when  we  parted  last  the  thought  of  the 
longe  &  fatuging  journey  &  the  many  dangers  I  aparnde 
you  would  have  to  meet  with,  gave  me  greate  concern  on 
your  account,  till  we  were  made  happy  by  your  letter  giv- 
ing the  account  of  your  safe  arriavel,  found  your  dear 
parents  well  who  received  you  with  joy  &  that  you  were 
perfectly  contented  in  fine  health  &  everything  agreeable. 
This  was  a  great  relefe  to  my  anxious  mind,  especially 
that  you  found  a  tender  &  affectionate  mother  to  comfort 
&  take  care  of  you  under  the  circumstances  you  ware  in. 
but  o  the  uncertainty  of  all  our  earthly  injoyments  &  often 
that  we  most  depend  on  for  help  &  relefe  —  how  des- 
tressing  the  account  in  your  letter  that  your  dear  mam  is 
dangerously  sick  of  a  feve[r  ev]en  life  dispaired  of,  & 
how  melancholy  to  lose  so  valu[able]  so  amiable  &  lovely 
a  friend  in  the  vigour  of  life  &  mi[dst]  of  her  usefulness, 
if  she  should  be  taken  away  it  would  be  a  grevious  lofs 
to  all  her  connections  but  my  dear  child  I  feel  peculiarly 
distresst  on  your  account  as  I  think  you  never  wanted  a 
mother  so  much  as  you  do  now  however  stil  hope  in  god 
we  shall  yet  re  Joyce  in  her  recovery. — I  am  pleased  to  hear 
Isaac  likes  his  situation  &  imployment  I  hope  his  conduct 
&  behaviour  will  be  agreeable  to  all  his  connections  thare 
&  have  my  love  to  him  tell  him  I  dayly  think  of  him  with 
the  tenderest  affection.     My  kind  regards  to  your  dear 
Mr  Gilman  who  I  allways  esteem3  &  lovd  &  more  so  now 
than  ever  &  sincere  respects  to  your  dear  parants  we 
longe  to  hear  good  news  from  a  fare  country,  may  a  holy 
Sovereign  god  prepare  us  for  his  blessed  will  to  his  kind 
provedence  &  power  grace  &  marcy  who  is  every  ware 
present  I  desire  to  commit  you  my  dear  child  &  beleve 
me  your  truly  affect6  grandmaa 

Jane  Gilman1 

i  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  's  eldest  child,  Jane,  named  for  her  mother, 
grandmother,  and  sister,  was  born  November  9,  1790. 


178  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

172 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  bad  a  large  family. 
Those  whom  we  hear  of  frequently  in  these  letters 
are:  Chandler,  born  in  1762,  went  at  first  to  Hallowell, 
Me.,  married  Harriet  Lothrop  and  moved  to  Boston; 
Jane  Prince,  who  married  Dr.  Goodwin;  Isaac,  next 
younger  to  Hannah,  who  was  a  missionary  in  the  middle 
west  and  then  moved  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  married 
Mary  Douglas  Howell;  Philemon,  who  was  apparently 
not  normal;  Samuel  Prince,  who  lived  for  some  time  in 
Connecticut  and  took  a  church  in  Marietta  in  1806,  mar- 
ried Martha  Burlingame  and  died  there  in  1823;  Peter 
Gilman,  who  married  Abba  Dowse,  and  became  a  physi- 
cian, living  at  Roxbury,  Mass. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj. 
Ives  Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plimouth  Decr  19  1791 
My  dear,  very  dear  Children, 

None  but  they  who  have  ye  Heart  of  a  Parent,  can  have 
any  Idea  of  the  Sensations  we,  at  this  moment  feel  re- 
fpecting  our  dear  ones  —  all  at  a  great  distance,  except 
ye  3  little  ones  —  Chandler  at  ye  West  Indies  if  alive,  & 
Jenny  at  Penobscot,  the  others  you  too  well  know  the 
Situation  of,  But  our  principal  concern  &  Anxiety  at 
present  is  on  your  Ace'  who  live  on  y6  Ohio,  at  this  alarm- 
ing Period. 

Imagine  the  distrefs  of  ye  friends  of  those  poor  Sol- 
diers, who  went  from  us  into  your  country,  since  last 
Fryday  Evening,  which  was  ye  first  we  heard  of  ye  sur- 
prizing &  awful  ace*  from  our  Army — We  have,  as  yet, 
had  no  official  Accts  —  expect  ym  daily — but  a  Letter 
from  a  Gent"  in  NYork  to  his  friend  in  Boston,  says,  that 
the  Indians  have  gained  a  shocking  Victory — killd  700 
privates  &  27  Officers  —  among  whom  is  poor  Winslow 
Warren  &c  probably  some  if  not  all  ye  young  Soldrs  from 
Plim0  are  flain,  Torry  &c  &c  whose  friends  are  filld  with 
grief  in  anxs  Expect"  of  ye  Event  —  But  poor  Mrs  Warren 
seems  inconfolable.  But  what  shall  we  say  of  our 
dear  Children  &  their  connections  there"?    Tis  natural  to 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  179 

think  &  forbode  ye  worst  —  We  cant  but  fear  greatly  for 
you.  The  savage  foe,  flufha  at  ye  Victory  they  have  ob- 
taind,  will  in  all  probability  purfue  ye  Advantage,  &  is 
there  not  reafon  to  fear  will  fall  upon  ye  new  Settle- 
ments —  at  least  greatly  distref s  &  put  them  in  perpetual 
fear !  May  a  merciful  God  restrain  their  rage  &  prevent 
ye  dreadful  effects  of  their  barbarous  Spirit. 

We  have  a  propofition  to  make  to  you,  my  children,  to 
which  must  intreat  you  to  attend  —  We  cannot  but  think, 
&  most  earnestly  advise  you,  as  a  rational  &  prudent 
measure,  that  considering  the  present  gloomy  situation 
of  affairs  wth  you  &  the  uncertainty  when  things  will  be 
in  a  quiet  state  &  above  all,  considering  your  (Mr  G)  ill 
State  of  health  and  ye  increafe  of  yl  distrefs  &  disorder 
upon  you,  you  had  better  (with  your  dear  ones)  remove 
from  thence  to  us,  at  least  for  a  seafon.  What  are  all 
earthly  pofsefsions,  where  health  is  wanting?  especially 
if  in  addition  to  this,  one  lives  in  fear,  on  Ace1  of  ye  most 
inhuman  of  all  Enemies!  You  dont  conceive  ye  Joy  & 
Satisfaction  you  wd  hereby  give  us.  Our  house  arms  & 
heart  are  open  to  receive  you.  Do  think  of  it,  my  dear 
Children. 

The  affair  of  your  growing  Disorder,  is  really  serious 
&  affecting.  We  received  your  last,  of  Oct1"  9th,  about  10 
days  ago,  wherein  you  give  particulars  of  your  com- 
plaint—  &  agreable  to  your  defire,  I  have  made  a  busi- 
nefs  of  making  every  pofsible  enquiry  (without  particu- 
larizing too  much,  as  it  refpects  you)  respecting  such  kind 
of  complaints  &  cant  but  have  some  reason  to  fear,  your 
apprehenfions  are  not  without  foundation  —  &  your  not 
voiding  any  gravelly  substance  or  sediment  leaves  fome 
grounds  to  fear  it  may  be  ye  beginning  of  ye  formation  of 
a  Stone  in  ye  bladder  —  I  have  consulted  Doctr  Thacher, 
who  is  really  skilful,  in  theory  &  practice.  —  And  he 
wished  me  to  ask  you  ye  following  quest"3  "Have  you  any 
pain  abl  ye  region  of  ye  Kidneys?  &  does  it  extend  to  ye 
bladder?  "Are  ye  fits  of  pain  attended  with  a  Nausea  or 
vomiting?  "After  ye  paroxisms  of  pain  are  over  is  your 
Urine  turbid,  or  do  you  obferve  a  mucous  Sediment  in  it? 
"Is  y*  Urine  ever  tinged  with  blood  especially  after  Exer- 
cise? &  does  exercise  bring  on  pain  near  ye  neck  of  ye 
bladder?  Have  you  pain  in,  before  &  after  discharging 
urine.    "Is  a  free  discharge  of  urine  fometimes  suddenly 


180  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

interrupted  so  yl  you  are  oblig*  to  void  it  [torn]  Drops? 
' '  Finally,  Do  you  ever  feel  a  numbnef s  down  ye  Thigh  & 
Leg?"  In  your  next  you11  please  to  reply.  I  have  met 
with  2  Recipes,  since  receiving  your  last,  (In  my  other 
letter  of  ye  17  Oct.  I  wrote  you  2  or  3  others,  particularly 
ye  very  simple  one  of  ' '  rubbing  all  ye  parts  thoroly  &  f  re- 
q'ly  with  Hogsfat  or  Lard"  which  has  actually  done  won- 
ders in  gravelly  complts  &  thofe  like  yours),  The  new 
ones  are  "Wild  Carrots"  a  Decoction.  Yr  other,  Gen1 
Warren  gave  me,  whofe  Lady  has  had  much  of  yr  com- 
plaints in  years  past.  "A  large  handful  of  ye  fibres  or 
roots  of  garden  Leeks,  simmered  gently  in  2  Qts  foft 
water,  till  reduced  to  one."  A  pint  taken  abl  3  times 
morning  noon  &  night,  a  proper  dofe  for  an  adult  pr  day. 
In  ye  instance  given,  ye  patient  perfevered  five  weeks  & 
then  was  compleatly  relieved. 

If  after  all,  my  dear  Child,  you  shld  find  ye  disorder 
continues  &  increafes,  &  there  fhld  be  reafon  to  fear 
there  is  a  Stone  — Dont  delay  too  long  I  intreat  you 
looking  out  for  speedy,  &  y*  best  advice  &  afsistance  — 
And  I  am  particularly  glad  to  be  able  to  inform  you  & 
also  requested  by  others  to  inform  you,  that  there  is  a 
Gentleman  now  refiding  in  this  State,  at  Jamaica  plains, 
in  Roxby,  Doctor  Le  Prilette  by  name,  who  has  the  high- 
est Reputation  of  any  man  in  America  (in  ye  Opinion  of 
ye  best  Physicians  in  Boston  &  near  us)  as  a  Surgeon  & 
particularly  for  disorders  of  ye  kind  y°  complain  of  — 
And  when  cafes  have  come  to  require  ye  Operation  of  y* 
knife,  he  has  performed  it  in  ye  most  incomparable  &  suc- 
cefsful  manner  to  the  admiration  of  some  of  ye  greatest 
men  of  ye  faculty  in  this  part  of  ye  world.  Thofe  of  'em 
in  Boston,  have  so  great  an  Opinion  of  him,  that  (rare 
as  it  is)  they,  tis  sd,  actually  follicited  him  to  move  to 
Roxby  to  be  near  them.  —  &  have  made  him  a  Member 
of  yr  Medical  Society.  —  I  exceedingly  wish  you  cod  fee 
&  advife  with  him,  if  yr  complaints  continue.  Well,  dear 
Children,  we  can  but  commend  you  to  ye  care  &  mercy  of 
ye  algracious  &  powerful  God,  who  can  do  all  for  you  for 
your  Souls  &  Bodies  y*  you  need.  0  look  to  him  —  Cry 
to  him  daily  for  every  blef sing  you  want.  He  is  a  Refuge 
&  he  alone  can  fave  you  in  time  of  need.  No  special  news 
among  us.  Mrs  Hedge,  our  young  neighbor,  has  a  little 
Son,  born  ye  Day  your  Bror  faild  for  W.  Indies,   14th 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  181 

of  Novr.  Mr  Dunkin 1  has  returned,  &  removed  his  wife  & 
family  to  Philada —  in  comfortable  Situation.  Pray 
write  us  oftener  —  fend  to  go  Pr  post  from  Pittsburg  —  I 
am  obligd  to  fend  this  in  that  way,  as  I  have  no  other  way 
&  I  cant  be  filent.  Aunt  T.2  goes  for  Bostn  in  ye  Morning, 
by  her  I  send  it  to  ye  Office.  May  Heaven  guard,  defend, 
blef  s  &  fave  you.  All  ours  fend  Love  to  all  you  as  this  is 
to  all  3  of  you,  Benj.  Han.  &  Ike  —  not  forgetting  many 
kifses  to  little  Jane  &  best  regards  to  yr  dear  Parents. 
Your  very  affect1  Father  Chandr  Bobbins 
and  mother  Jane 
Dec.  21st.  Letter  not  gone  yet  (by  bad  weather)  I  for- 
got an  import1  Article  I  intended  to  infert,  which  is  The 
Springs  at  Saratoga,  which  have  of  late  been  provd  so 
efficacious  for  gen1  Disorders,  have  very  lately  been 
found  remarkable  for  complaints  of  ye  nephritic  kind,  & 
an  instance  mentioned  (if  not  more  yn  one)  in  wch  they 
have  actually  difsolved  a  stone  in  ye  bladder  which  is  an 
additional  Motive  to  induce  you  to  come  this  way.  May 
God  blefs  every  attempt  for  your  relief:  To  confirm  ye 
above,  Gen1  Warren,  my  informant,  adds  yl  ye  Waters  are 
of  such  a  powerf1  soluting  Quality,  yl  they  have  actually, 
(in  a  few  days  after  thrown  in)  difsolved  a  Stone  of  ye 
Grindstone  kind. 

Dec.  22d  ye  shock8  News  ysday  confirm*1  worse  yn  at  first 
report11  Warren  was  fee  am6  ye  N°  of  Slain.  But  friends 
anxs  to  hear  whither  Torry,  Kingsly,  Whiting,  &c,  from 
Plim0  are  living.  Write  us  if  y°  know.  Or  come  &  tell 
us  yrselves. 

[torn]  TON  DEC  28         PAID  5 

Mr  Benjamin  Ives  Gilman 

Marietta 

Western  Territory 

Ohio 

pr  post  to  Pittsburg 

via  Philada 


i  Mr.  Dunkin  was  the  husband  of  Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  's  cousin, 
Susan  Bethune,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Peter  Gilman  's  brother,  George  Bethune, 
and  his  wife,  Mary  Fanueil.  "Aunt  Bethune,"  as  George  Bethune 's 
widow  is  called  in  these  letters,  was  living  in  Little  Cambridge.  She  had 
another  married  daughter,  Penelope,  who  was  Mrs.  English,  of  Boston. 

2  Irene   (Bobbins)  Thompson. 


182  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

173 

Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman, 
Marietta,  Ohio. 

1792. 

Oct.  5.  I  love  to  open  my  desk,  and  take  a  sheet  of  paper, 
and  fold  it  up  in  this  way,  if  I  only  say  my  dear  Han- 
nah. Par  says  "I  thought  you  would  alter  your  mind, 
tho '  you  determind  to  write  only  by  post  in  future. ' ' 

12.  Din'd  at  Deacon  Dimans,  wedding  dinner,  dear  for 
all  has  brought  his  wife  home,  a  neice  of  Dr  Thachers 
Sucky  Gray  of  Barnstable,  Anna  says  you  knew  her. 

22.  Your  Par  and  I  went  to  Boston,  He  had  a  great  in- 
clination to  hear  the  Tricentary  sermon  that  is  to  be 
preach 'd  by  Dr  Belknap,  on  the  discovery  of  America 
by  Columbius.  as  we  ware  riding  over  kingston  hill, 
met  a  man  that  inform 'd  us,  that  Mr  Little  was  ship 
wreck 'd  of  New  York,  and  they  had  put  back  to  Bed- 
ford, to  refitt.  poor  man,  I  felt  deftrefs'd  for  him,  and 
his  wife,  how  dreadfull  it  must  be.  we  put  up  at  Mr 
English's,  had  not  a  very  agreable  time  Company, 
however  it  was  but  one  day.  went  wensday  morning 
and  breakfasted  at  Mr  Mackpeaces.  She  was  very  glad 
to  see  me,  "how  do  you  do,  Mrs  Bobbins,  I  am  glad  to 
see  you  look  so  well,  I  expected  when  your  Children  left 
you,  you  would  be  as  dead  as  a  Bat  in  winter.  I  have 
all  most  worred  to  death  about  Hannah,  myfelf,  but  by 
all  I  can  learn  she  is  quite  happy."  I  took  your  last 
letter  out  of  my  pocket  and  read  to  her,  she  was  very 
much  gratify 'd.  she  says,  tis  Hannah  yet.  Your  Par 
inquir'd  after  Mrs.  Battell,  she  is  not  arived  in  Boston 
yet,  you  are  a  good  child,  to  write  all  oppertunitys,  it 
is  a  great  releif  to  our  minds,  as  we-  can 't  help  feeling 
anxious  for  your  safty.  Your  last  letter  my  dear  Han- 
nah has  determin  'd  me  to  keep  on  writing,  and  send  it 
when  I  can,  if  you  ever  have  my  pacquet,  you  will  hear 
all  about  Chandler,  and  not  think  he  was  negleted  by 
us.  Par  says  he  thought  he  had  wrote  very  particu- 
larly about  him,  in  all  his  letters  to  you.  when  you  say 
anything  about  your  dear  little  Children,1  I  feel  as  if  I 
long  for  wings,  to  fly  to  them,     as  to  Isaac  I  hope  my 

1  Joseph  Gilman,  second,  was  born  June  23,  1792. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  183 

Dear  son  Benjamin,  will  advice  him  what  to  do.  I  hope 
that  years,  and  experience,  will  teach  him  wisdom,  poor 
dear  Child  seams  to  be  wandering  about,  without  a  pro- 
tecter  or  friend,  I  wish  it  was  in  our  power  to  put  him 
in  buisnefs,  tho  if  it  was,  I  am  not  certain  it  would  be 
best  for  him. 

as  we  were  riding  home  we  met  Major  Thomas,  and 
Mrs  Burr,  we  stop't  and  spook  to  them,  ask'd  her  how 
she  did  very  unwell  indeed  she  answer 'd,  Major 
Thomas  said  Mrs  Burr  has  the  vapours,  I  said  I  am 
very  sorry,  and  in  a  very  chearfull  way,  ask'd  her, 
how  far  she  intended  to  ride  to  get  red  of  them,  she 
bust  into  tears.  Majr  Thomas  said,  Mrs  Burr,  thinks 
we  are  all  going  to  destruction,  but  I  hope  not.  I  never 
was  more  suprized,  did  not  know  that  any  thing  aild 
her,  she  that  was  all  life,  and  sprightlinefs.  is  now  the 
picture  of  melancholly  and  dejection,  we  call'd  at 
John  Seaver's,  Mrs  Rufsell  their,  Nancy  expects  to  be 
confin'd  soon.  I  ask'd  Mrs  Rufsell  what  was  the  mat- 
ter with  Mrs  Burr,  she  says,  she  is  afraid  the  family 
will  come  to  want,  0!  how  dreadfull  such  fears  are, 
tis  the  divil  all  over,  those  people  whose  circumstance 
are  independent  are  more  subject  to  those  fears,  than 
the  poor  that  don't  know  where  thay  shall  get  the  next 
meal. 

28.  We  had  the  great,  the  Learned,  Mr.  Peneman  to  day, 
preach  'd  all  day,  just  the  same  conceited,  out  of  the 
way  mortal,  he  ever  was.  aunt1  never  hear'd  him  be- 
fore, she  said  tho'  she  had  heard  so  much  about  him, 
it  exceeded  evry  Idea  she  had  form'd.  as  soon  as  he 
begun  she  thought  of  your  taking  him  off.  each  &c  I 
was  very  carefull  not  to  catch  her  eye,  I  am  sure,  if  I 
had  I  could  not  have  behaved  with  decency. 

29.  Esqr  Watson  come  in  this  fore  noon  for  your  Par  to 
go  and  see  Mrs  Burr,  she  is  raveing  destractecl,  got  up 
last  night  and  attempted  to  destroy  herself.  Prifsa 
happen 'd  to  wake,  and  saw  her  mother  puting  a  rope 
round  her  neck:  she  call'd  the  family;  and  by  that 
means  it  was  prevented,  they  are  greatly  destrefs'd, 
as  you  may  well  suppofe,  they  are  obliged  to  keep  every 
thing  out  of  her  way. 

i  Aunt  Thompson. 


184  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

22.  Your  Par,  and  I,  at  a  wedding,  at  Mrs  Cottons.  Bet- 
sey Cotton,  to  a  Mr  Hafkell,  of  Rochester,  a  very  good 
match  for  her,  tis  said ;  a  very  steady  man,  and  a  good 
farm.  Ward  is  a  very  genteel  young  fellow.  I  thought 
while  I  was  their,  if  any  perfons  are  to  be  envied  tis 
those  parents,  that  have  their  Children  settel'd,  where 
their  is  a  pofsability  of  seeing  them,  what  led  me  to 
the  thought  was,  receiving  a  letter  from  Chandler  he 
is  very  well,  has  as  much  buisnefs  as  he  can  do,  is 
pleas 'd  with  the  place,  has  thoughts  of  byeing  him  a 
place  on  the  river,  and  setteling  their,  letter  from 
Jenny  she  is  well  —  Mr  Trible  that  moved  their,  is  re- 
turn'd  with  his  family,  they  say,  that  part  of  the  east- 
ward will  be  deftrefs'd  for  corn  this  winter.  I  am 
sorry  that  Jenny  did  not  stay  when  she  was  here.  I 
know  she  wanted  much  to  stay  if  she  could,  went  away 
very  dull. 

Nath  Lewis  has  a  daughter.  Nancy  Seaver,  a  Son. 
she  was  very  bad,  ill  2  days.  Aunt  has  had  another 
spark,  an  Uncle  of  Dr  Mercy,  from  Stockbridge^  aunt 
never  saw  him,  or  heard  of  him,  till  Dr  Mercy  intro- 
duced him  to  her.  Lydia  says,  she  wishes  Mrs  Thomp- 
fon  was  married;  she  is  sure  the  girls  will  stand  no 
chance  till  she  is. 

29.  Annual  Thanksgiving,  aunt  and  Robbins  here,  a 
very  fine  day,  after  dinner  aunt,  and  I,  went  up  in  the 
back  Chamber,  and  talked  of  our  dear  absent  Children, 
Par  gave  the  Boys  leave  to  play  in  the  garding  for 
exersise.  let  us  said  I  fancy  that  Mr  Oilman  and  Han- 
nah are  below  the  bank,  He  leading  little  Jane  up  the 
steps,  and  Hannah  behind  him,  with  her  Babby  in  her 
armes,*  Jenny  &  Isaac  coming  out  of  the  gate,  and 
Francis  taking  hold  of  her  apron,  saying  I  want  to  go 
to  Mar  Robbins,  she  is  up  at  the  window,  aunt  asked, 
where's  Mr  Goodwin?  0  down  to  the  eastward.  Par 
call'd  us  to  tea,  and  the  pleasing  scene  vanish  'd.  The 
parish,  have  bought  the  Bafe  Voil,  of  Mr  Inglee,  for 
public  worship  it  was  introduced  this  day.  Mrs  Burr 
is  something  more  composed,  when  I  think  of  your 
dear  little  Children  I  am  quite  impatient  to  see  them. 
*  Chandler  playing  with  the  Baby  over  your  shoulder. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  185 

Dec.  4.  Sam  Thacher  call'd  in  to  see  us,  going  to  Jail  in 
an  hour,  so  He  thought  he  would  spend  that  hour  with 
us.  after  going  thro'  so  many  Courts  he  has  lost  his 
case,  and  can't  pay  the  cost,  it  hurt  my  feelings,  to 
have  a  poor  old  man,  sent  to  Jail  at  this  season  of  the 
year. 

10.  We  had  2  french  Gentlemen  din'd  with  us  to  day 
when  aunt  come  from  Boston  last  she  brought  one  with 
her,  she  boarded  one  last  summer  by  the  name  of 
Peraux,  Pero  he  was  call'd,  who  was  so  pleas 'd  with  his 
situation,  that  he  advised  his  friend  to  come  here,  your 
Par  is  instructing  him  in  English,  his  name  is  Le  Batt 
a  very  amiable  young  man,  I  never  felt  a  stronger 
atachment  to  a  stranger,  the  reason  of  their  coming 
here  to  learn  our  language,  is,  there  are  so  many 
frenchmen  in  Boston,  in  confequence  of  the  troubles  in 
the  West  Indias,  that  they  can't  learn  so  well. 

15.  Your  Par  received  a  letter  from  Judge  Gill  to  day 
desiring  him  to  supply  Sam  Thacher  with  clothing,  and 
every  thing  necefsary  for  his  comfort  while  he  is  in 
goal,  and  he  will  pay  the  account  on  sight.  Mr  Gill 
chuses  he  should  remain  in  confinement,  the  time  al- 
loted  for  taking  the  poor  mans  oath,  Then  he  will  come 
upon  Mr  Bourn  for  damages.  Thus  has  ended  the  mat- 
ter that  has  been  the  subject  of  so  much  talk,  and  the 
sanguine  expectations  of  getting  a  great  Estate  came 
to  nothing,  I  think  Mr  Gill  is  very  kind  to  provide  for 
Mr  Ts  comfort  now  he  is  confind,  when  he  put  him  to  so 
great  expence  to  defend  his  cause.  Mr  Gill  told  your 
Par  that  he  had  spent  500  dollars. 

I  read  a  letter  to  day  that  come  from  Hannah 
Le  Baron,  she  is  in  the  West  Indias,  went  there  with  a 
Cap1  DeWolf 1  that  married  a  daughter  of  Gov  Brad- 
ford, he  had  accumulated  a  fortune,  in  the  African 
trade,  the  last  voyage  he  made,  one  of  the  poor  negros 
broke  out  with  the  small  Pox  a  day  or  2  after  he  saild. 
upon  which  he   inhumanly  order 'd  her  thrown   over 

i  Capt.  De  Wolf,  of  Bristol,  E.  I.,  married  a  daughter  of  William 
Bradford  and  Mary  LeBaron.  Eev.  Thomas  Bobbins  mentions  visiting 
him  in  1799  at  his  home  at  Mt.  Hope,  B.  I.,  where  "he  has  a  set  of  china 
ware  which  cost  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in  Canton." 


186  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

board;  when  lie  got  home,  search  was  made  for  him, 
upon  which  he  was  obliged  to  fly  the  country,    went  to 
the  W  I,  and  sent  for  his  Wife  and  family.    Hannah 
had  liv'd  with  them  so  long,  that  she  was  quite  willing 
to  go  with  them,    she  says,  She  is  very  happy  and  in- 
joys  fine  health,  mentions  our  family  very  affection- 
ately.    I  think  I  shuld  have  stay'd  behind,  if  I  work'd 
hard  for  a  living  rather  than  have  lived  in  the  greatest 
affluence  with  them  under  those  circumstances. 
If  their 's  a  power  above 
He  must  delight  in  virtue 
And  that,  that  He  delights  in 
must  be  happy. 
19.     'Tis  a  long  time  since  we  had  a  letter  from  you. 
evry  post  night  "cold,  hott,  wett,  or  dry",  Par  setts 
out  in  hopes  of  a  letter  from  you,  I  can  tell,  when  I  see 
him  return,  whether  he  has  one,  if  he  dont  say  a  word ; 
the  Post  office  is  at  Esqr  Watsons.    I  hope  you  will  not 
be  backward,  on  account  of  postage,  tis  only  1/6  from 
fort  Pitt. 

just  heard  Dr  Hayward  is  in  town  from  Georgia  des- 
tin'd  with  the  troops  to  the  Ohio,  you  will  be  glad  to 
see  Nathan  I  know.  Mrs  Burr  is  much  better,  to  day 
she  din'd  with  the  family,  your  Gran  Mar  is  as  well 
this  winter,  as  ever  I  knew  her,  appears  chearfull,  can 
hum  a  tune  as  well  as  ever,  "when  serious  life,  void 
moments  spears."  as  to  Anna  she  is  not  so  well,  poor 
girl  I  am  afraid  cant  live  long.  Philemon  is  a  fine  boy, 
loves  work ;  I  think,  I  could  not  keep  house  without  him. 
Sammy  Prince  is  very  studious;  his  master  says  he 
may  enter  College  next  summer,  but  we  think  it  is  best 
he  should  be  one  year  older.  Peter  is  in  his  latten  tes- 
tement,  fond  of  learning,  a  Mr  Briggs  a  young  gentle- 
man that  is  courting  Debby  Sampson  is  a  privett 
schoolmaster.  I  think  I  will  send  you  a  letter  that 
Debby  sent  to  your  sister,  when  she  was  here.  It  is  a 
genuine  peice  of  witt.  Mr  B  intends  to  study  divinity. 
Debby  must  sow  all  her  wild  oats.  I  was  in  company 
the  other  day  with  Mrs  Sampson,  one  of  the  company 
ask'd  her  if  she  had  done  with  the  thought  of  moveing 
into  town,  she  said  Debby  chose  to  live  at  Plymton,  and 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  187 

she  was  Law,  and  she  soppofs'd  she  would  be  gosple 
too,  when  she  had  Briggs. 
29.  I  often  amuse  myfelf  by  reading  over  your  letters, 
find  one  that  I  intended,  when  I  recd  it,  to  answer  but 
had  not  time  by  Mr  Little.  He  call'd  for  my  packet  in 
a  great  hurry,  you  mention  your  going  to  housekeep- 
ing it  would  give  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  see  how 
you  manage  family  matters,  you  sett  out  with  cour- 
age, intend  to  out  shine  your  mothers,  I  dare  say  we 
are  agree 'd  that  you  should.  I  recollect  some  lines,  I 
think  in  Dr  Youngs  works,  that  pleas  'd  me  very  much. 
0 !    May  I  steal,  along  the  vale ; 

of  humble  life,  secure  from  foes. 

My  friend  sencere,  my  judgment  clear. 

and  gentle  businef s ;  my  repose. 

My  mind  be  strong,  to  combat  wrong. 

gratefull  to  Heaven,  for  favours  shown, 

Soft  to  complain ;  for  others  pain 

but  bold,  to  triumph,  ore  my  own. 
when  you  tell  us  of  the  delightfull  prospect  from  your 
Chamber  windows,  I  shuddered  least  you  should  see 
Indians  coming  up  or  down  the  rivers.  I  hope  my  dear 
Children  are  safe  under  divine  protection.  May  the 
Candle  of  the  Lord  allways  shine  upon  your  tabernacle. 
"Where  we  have  a  tent,  God  should  have  an  alter." 

We  have  had  letters  from  Jenny,  all  well,  I  soppose 
tis  the  last  we  shall  have  this  winter,  dear  Child  ex- 
pects to  be  confin'd.  how  very  different  your  situation 
from  hers,  you  never  knew  the  want  of  a  tender 
mother. 

We  had  a  letter  from  aunt  Cary,  giving  us  an  ac- 
count of  the  installment  of  a  Mr  Brown,  at  the  uper 
Parish  at  Exeter,  He  came  from  Nova  Scotia  last 
summer  married  a  neice  of  Dr  Coffin's  wife  of  New- 
bury, from  his  connection  with  Dr  Coffin,  he  was  intro- 
duced to  Mr  Spring  who  ask'd  him  to  preach,  and  rec- 
ommended him  to  Deacon  Odiorn  of  Exeter,  who  in- 
gaged  him  to  preach  several  Sabbaths,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  call  from  the  Church  and  parish,  and  he  was 
last  month  install  'd.  Dr  Haven  made  the  first  prayer 
Mr  Macclintock  preach 'd  from  Acts  2d,  22    Mr  Thayer 


188  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

of  Kingston,  pray'd  before  the  Charge,  Dr  Langdon 
gave  the  charge,  Mr  Rowland  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship, Mr  Buckminister,  made  the  last  prayer. 

This  Mr  Brown  had  been  ordain 'd  in  England,  was 
only  4  years  setteld  their,  and  left  them  with  a  design  to 
come  to  America,  He  recd  a  licence  from  Lady  Hun- 
ingtons  college. 

Aunt  Cary  was  at  meeting,  she  says,  Simon  Wiggens, 
has  bought  your  Gran  Pars  pew,  the  parish  have 
bought  old  Coll  Sam  Gilmans  house,  for  the  new  min- 
ister. 

Nancy,  and  Patty,  Roggers,  live  by  themselves,  in  a 
small  house,  that  was  Mr  Rice 's,  they  are  set  up  in  a 
small  way  of  buisnefs  their  situation  is  very  agreable, 
I  thought  you  would  be  pleas  'd  with  this  account  which 
I  collected  from  Uncle,  and  aunt  Cary's  letters  Mrs 
Giddins  has  her  sences  perfectly,  but  is  a  Cripple  — 
Turzzah x  lives  with  Mr  Nath  Carter  at  Newbury,  now 

1  beleive  I  have  told  you  all  the  Exeter  news. 

Janry  1.  1793  I  take  up  my  pen,  to  wish  my  dear  Chil- 
dren a  happy  new  year,  how  soon  my  thoughts  can  fly 
over  the  Allegany  mountains,  and  see  you,  put  your 
hand  over  little  Joseys  face,  and  call  him  all  the  names 
you  can  think  of,  and  your  invention  was  fruitfull  in 
this  way.  tell  little  Jane  Mar  Robbins  will  give  her  a 
new  gown,  when  she  can  get  any  body  to  carry  it.  we 
din'd  at  genrl  Warrins  to  day,  Henry  and  his  wife,  live 
their,  they  have  a  fine  baby,  call  it  Mercy.  They  have 
not  been  to  houfekeeping  yet.  He  says  their  is  not  a 
houfe  in  town  to  lett,  that  is  fitt  for  a  gentleman  to  live 
in.  others  think  he  don't  go  to  housekeeping  because 
he  is  in  no  way  of  buisnefs.  only  clerk  of  the  general 
court.  Mrs  Burr  so  much  better,  that  she  din'd  at 
Judge  Thomas's,  perhaps  you  will  not  know  where  that 
is,  as  the  title  will  not  sound  natural,  Majr  Thomas  is 
Judge  of  Probate  for  this  County. 
5.     aunt  come  from  Boston  in  the   stage2  to  day  Mrs 

i  Tirzah  James  had  been  the  housekeeper  at  Col.  Peter  Gilman  's  in 
Exeter.  She  married  in  1794,  Samuel  Brooks,  who  died  in  1807.  She  made 
her  home  in  later  life  with  Benj.  Ives  Gilman. 

2  This  is  the  first  mention  of  a  stage  in  these  letters. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  189 

Minott  and  Polly  Mayhew  come  in  company  with  her, 
They  are  come  to  Sally  Nickcolson's  wedding,  He, 
(that  is,  Mr  Hez  Jackson,)  has  ingaged  the  westerly 
half  of  our  old  house.  Zep  Harlow  has  bought  Mr 
Englee's,  and  he  has  built  a  large  brick  house,  near  his 
works. 

7.  Mrs  Hedge  sent  for  me,  to  spend  the  afternoon  with 
her  and  her  mar  tis  the  first  time  Mrs  Burr  has  been 
their,  and  the  first  time  I  have  seen  her  since  her,  de- 
rangment.  I  am  sorry  to  say  tis  not  Mrs  Burr  yet, 
she  discovers  a  great  anxiety  —  restlifsnefs,  &c  very 
different  from  her  natural  difposition. 

We  have  received  a  letter  from  my  dear  Chandler, 
with  one  inclosed  for  you,  that  you  will  have  by  Dr 
Hayward.  we  are  really  impatient  to  hear  from  you 
my  dear  Hannah,  not  a  word  since  the  17  September, 
it  never  has  been  half  so  long  since  you  left  us.  hope 
this  post  we  shall  have  the  pleasure,  I  want  to  hear 
whether  Mr  Little  is  arived  safe,  we  felt  for  his  mis- 
fortunes at  first  seting  out  his  journey. 
10th.  Par  and  I  had  been  out  last  evening,  as  we  got  to 
our  door,  saw  Isaac  LeBaron  coming  out,  gave  Par  his 
news  Paper  and  told  him,  we  had  a  letter  from  the 
Ohio,  and  that  the  office  was  shut  we  could  not  get  it 
till  morning,  we  were  up  very  early,  sent  for  our  letter, 
when  to  our  very  great  mortification,  it  was  from  our 
tennant  at  Branford.1 — allso  had  a  letter  from  aunt 
Cary  dated  about  3  weeks  ago,  telling  us  that  Oliver 
Dodge  was  going  to  the  Ohio,  by  the  first  of  this 
mounth,  tho  the  time  was  pafs'd,  we  thought  he  might 
be  detain 'd,  and  wrote  to  you  to  be  left  at  Mr  Carys  for 
him  to  take,  however  I  did  not  regret  it  so  much,  as 
we  shall  send  so  soon  by  Dr  Hayward. 

13.  Sally  Nickolson  wedding  —  Cake,  wine,  punch.  — 

14.  Din  'd  with  a  large  Company  at  Nath  Jacksons  I  was 
suprised,  we  had  a  very  genteel,  elegant  dinner,  and 
with  as  littel  fuse  as  ever  I  saw  any  where  for  so  large 
a  Company  20  sat  at  the  table,  very  nice  port,  and  evry 

i  Eev.  Chandler  Robbins  's  father  was  Rev.  Philemon  Robbins,  pastor 
at  Branford,  Conn,  for  fifty  years,  and  the  reference  was  probably  to  his 
house. 


190  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

else  dref  s  't  well,  they  say  betsy  Jackson,  had  the  whole 
managinent,  and  Mrs  Bill  Hall.  —  the  morning  after 
Sally,  was  marred,  John  Davis  sent  her,  one  doz  of 
pictuers,  that  he  bought  at  a  vendue,  some  years  ago, 
when  Esq1"  Mayhew's  furniture  was  sold,  was  not  that 
beautyfull?  it  discover 'd  so  much  sencebility,  it  realy 
affected  me. 

16.  Hannah,  I  believe  I  will  tell  you,  that  thro  the  me- 
dium of  some  Gentlemen  of  note  in  Boston,  your  Par, 
has  a  diploma,  from  the  University  at  Edinburgh,  con- 
ferring on  him  the  honour  of  a  Doctorate,  in  Divinity. 
Par  looking  over  my  shoulder,  says  poh,  what  did  you 
say  anything  about  it  for.  I  tell  him  because  Children, 
must  be  pleased  with  evry  exprefsion  of  respec  paid 
their  parents. 

We  have  had  a  most  delightfull  winter  as  ever  I  re- 
member, no  deep  snows  but  warm  rains,  and  fine  serene 
weather  after,  but  as  poor  master  Joseph,  us'd  to  say, 
I'll  tell  you  what,  Mr  Bobbins,  winter  will  not  rott  in 
the  sky,  so  we  may  expect  a  touch  of  it  before  spring.  — 
While  I  am  writing  I  feel  so  anxious  to  hear  from  all 
my  dear  Children  at  the  Ohio,  that  I  can 't  say  no  more 
now. 

18.  I  am  happy,  by  the  recept  of  a  long  letter  from  you 
my  dear  Hannah,  Dec  7,  it  gives  us  pleasure  to  hear 
what  you  say  of  your  dear  little  Children,  after  you 
had  told  of  the  amiable  qualitys  Josy,  was  pofses'd  of. 
did  not  you  mean  to  say  he  was  very  much  like  his  Paa. 
However,  I  know  when  I  am  writing  I  am  apt  to  make 
miftakes,  so  can  easyly  overlook  it. 

Par  is  dispofed  eno  to  gratify  you  Hannah  you  will 
have  a  carpet  when  we  can  send  it  but  am  suprized  to 
hear  you  say,  Josh  is  going  to  the  Ohio,  I  am  afraid  he 
is  gone,  if  he  intended  to  go  with  Oliver  Dodge,  —  we 
will  take  pains  to  inquire,  as  to  the  miniatures,  I  have 
seen  some,  that  the  person  that  advertises  has  taken, 
I  can't  say,  I  think  they  are  good  likenefses.  We  shall 
be  happy  to  grant  your  request  when  we  go  to  Boston 
in  the  spring,  your  mentioning,  the  Person  that 
brought  your  letter  on  as  far  as  Philadelphia,  reminds 
me  of  Mrs  Dunkins  living  their,  did  not  I  tell  you  that 


Dr.  Chandler  Robbixk 

From    an    ambrotype    copy    of   a  miniature 

owned  by  his  great    grandson,  Chandler 

Robbins,  of  New  York  City 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  191 

Mr  D — n  had  return  'd  with  a  pritty  property,  and  has 
carred  his  family  their,  about  a  year  and  half  ago. 
aunt  Bethune,  Nancy,  and  Nath,  visited  them  last  fall, 
went  in  the  stage,  how  glad  Susan  would  be  to  have 
you  write  to  her.  I  am  glad  for  her,  she  did  not  injoy 
herfelf  perfectly,  in  the  situation  she  was  in  at  home. 
We  din'd  at  Billy  goodwin's  to  day,  with  a  large  com- 
pany. 

19.  Barny  Hedge,  has  a  fine  little  daughter  born  this 
evening,  she  bids  fair  for  a  large  family,  only  14 
months,  between  this  and  little  Barny.  Nancy  Seaver 
is  very  unwell  never  has  recovered  her  health  since  she 
was  confin'd.  She  told  Mrs  Winslow,  that  she  has  not 
had  a  well  day  since  she  lay  in  with  her  first  Child. 

22.  just  as  we  were  drinking  tea,  the  frount  door  open'd 
quick^  Paa  said  who  can  that  be,  I  said  tis  Chandlers 
step,  just  as  I  spoke  the  dear  Child  come  into  the  room, 
very  unexpectedly,  he  had  occation  to  come  to  Boston 
and  thought  he  could  not  return  without  spending  a 
day  or  2  at  home.  I  never  saw  him  look  better  in 
health,  he  is  much  pleas 'd  with  his  imployment,  but 
doth  not  think  the  compensation,  is  adequate  to  the 
Buifnefs,  and  told  Mr  Vaughn  so,  upon  which  he  desird 
him  to  mention  his  own  termes. 

I  put  your  last  letter  into  his  hand  to  read,  when  you 
say  Isaac  has  sixty  dollars  a  month,  he  say'd  if  that  is 
afsertain'd,  he  will  quit  his  present  buisnefs  and  go  to 
the  Ohio  and  open  a  School,  on  the  whole  we  think  you 
ment  a  year,  instead  of  a  month. 

24.  great  paraid  for  Plymo  to  day  a  civic  feast,  your 
Paa,  by  desire  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  town  spoke  an 
Oration  in  the  meeting-house  to  the  largest  afsembly 
that  lever  saw  here.  Dr  Hayward  will  tell  you  all 
about  it. 

25.  din'd  with  a  large  company  at  aunts  to  day,  Mifs 
Mayhew,  Mrs  Minot,  Lydia,  Debby.  Drs  Thacher,  Hay- 
ward,  and  Bartlett.  Billy  Goodwin,  Mr  Briggs  Par  and 
I.  our  dear  son  went  away  this  morning,  has  had  a 
fine  day.  his  stay  was  so  short,  that  I  can  hardly  real- 
ize that  I  have  seen  him.  poor  Jack  Bartlett,  dy'd  last 
night. 


192  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Anna  went  home  last  Saturday  very  sick,  she  allmost 
dy'd,  when  she  got  ready  to  go,  says  she  shall  never 
come  to  town  again,  till  she  is  brought  to  be  buried,  it 
was  very  affecting  to  us  all,  she  has  lived  in  our  family 
14  years,  and  as  faithfull  a  girl,  as  ever  was.  Chandler 
had  not  time  to  go  and  see  her.  but  sent  her  a  dollar, 
it  was  kind  in  him.  tho  she  shall  never  want  for  any 
thing,  as  long  as  she  lives.  Nancy  Coad,  wants  very 
much  to  come  here  again,  but  I  think  I  can't  bare  with 
her  temper. 

If  we  should  get  a  carpet  for  you,  how  are  we  to  send 
it?  Mr  Gilman  must  tell,  we  long  to  have  it  in  our 
power  to  do  more  for  Children.  I  am  sure  tis  the 
greatest  satisfaction  in  the  world,  to  make  them  happy. 
26.  I  have  try 'd  to  get  you  a  nice  handkerchief  but  can't, 
have  sent  a  yd  of  muslin  the  best  there  is  in  town,  a  pair 
of  gloves,  a  ribon ;  as  Dr  H  goes  in  the  stage  am  afraid 
of  making  the  bundle  large,  accept  of  them  as  a  small 
token  of  love  from  your  affectionate  Mother. 

P  S  my  dear  Children  grandmar  must  say  a  word  if 
its  only  to  tel  you  how  much  I  love  and  longe  to  see  you 
and  the  dear  littel  ones.  I  rejoyee  to  Hear  of  your 
wellfare  which  I  ever  regard  with  the  tenderst  con- 
cern and  that  your  situation  is  so  pleasant  and  agree- 
able it  gives  me  comfort  and  satisfaction  on  your 
acount  but  when  I  can  realize  the  meaning  &  certainty 
of  eternal  things,  this  swallows  up  all  other  cares  for 
my  Self  &  dear  Children  nothing  can  be  of  equal  im- 
portance o  that  we  may  view  things  now  as  they  will 
appear  when  we  come  to  leave  them  my  affectionate 
regards  to  your  dear  parants  I  hope  your  dear  Mar 
Gilman  has  not  quite  forgot  those  old  Exeter  aquant- 
ences  thay  remember  her  with  esteem  &  love  I  send  a 
pece  of  Callico  for  a  winter  gond  for  littel  Jane  as  a 
small  token  of  my  love  —  dear  children  farewell  may 
the  god  of  love  &  peace  dwell  with  &  bless  you  is  the 
wish  and  prayer  of  your  truly  affectnt  grandmar 

Jane  Gilman 

I  have  thought,  that  I  could  with  chearfullnefs  go 
thro  the  fatigue  of  a  Journey,  to  see  my  dear  Chil- 
dren at  the  end  of  it.  even  to  the  Ohio,    tis  my  duty  to 


Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  (Jane  Prince) 

From  an  ambrotype  copy  of  a  miniature  owned 

by  her  great  grandson,  Chandler  Bobbins, 

of  New  York  City 


IN  LETTEKS  AND  DOCUMENTS  193 

be  contented  and  easy,  in  the  situation  I  am  in  tho  I 
am  call'd  to  meet  with  many  things  that  are  not  joyous, 
aunt  says  she  will  write,  Par  is  writing  to  Isaac.  I 
would  but  have  not  time  as  tis  allmost  dark. 
Heaven  blefs  you,  my  dear,  dear  Children,  do  improve 
all  oppertunitys  to  write,  love  to  Your  dear  parents, 
from  your  affectionnate  Mother  Jane  Bobbins. 

174 

The  next  letter  has  to  do  with  the  Scioto  Company  and 
nowhere  can  we  find  the  matter  so  clearly  put  and  in  so 
few  words  as  in  Prof.  Hulbert's  volumes.1  ''The  Scioto 
coterie  was  composed  of  an  interesting  crowd  of  promot- 
ers and  speculators;  their  operations,  individual,  cooper- 
ative and  international  in  scope,  throw  light  upon  the 
financeering  and  speculation  of  the  first  years  of  the  re- 
public's life."  "Their  correspondence  of  the  time  shows 
no  intention  to  better  by  one  penny  a  single  property  that 
came  into  their  hands,  no  intention  to  create  a  dollar's 
worth  of  wealth."  They  contracted  for  a  large  number 
of  acres  on  the  Ohio,  which  they  did  not  survey,  but  held 
for  a  speculative  value  and  which  was  supposed  to  be 
alongside  of  the  Ohio  Company's  land.  Joel  Barlow  was 
the  agent  whom  Col.  Duer,  Craigie  and  the  rest  sent  to 
Europe  with  very  little  instruction  as  to  their  plan. 
"The  Yankee  in  him  made  him  so  practically  presump- 
tuous as  to  suppose  that  if  the  members  of  the  group 
could  not  realize  on  their  option  in  one  way,  they  would 
be  glad  to  do  so  in  another. ' '  What  the  men  wanted  was 
a  loan  from  abroad,  what  Barlow  got  was  a  "little  emi- 
gration party  of  about  five  hundred"  who  arrived  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  in  the  spring  of  1790.  "The  pitiful 
account  of  their  sojourn  in  Virginia  has  been  frequently 
repeated.  .  .  The  brunt  of  the  situation  fell  upon  the 
Ohio   Company.    Its   men  piloted  the   unfortunates   to 

i  Bee.  0.  P.  of  the  Ohio  Co.,  i,  lxxiii-xei. 


194  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

their  lands  for  which  the  Scioto  trustees  never  paid  and 
built  them  temporary  cabins."  The  Ohio  Company  lost 
eighty  thousand  dollars  when,  in  1792,  the  panic  took 
down  the  three  important  Scioto  trustees,  "Duer  and 
Flint  of  New  York  and  Craigie  of  New  York  and  Cam- 
bridge. ' ' 

It  is  important  to  note  that  the  Ohio  Company  was 
not  involved,  morally  or  practically,  in  this  specula- 
tion. "At  the  time  that  the  Scioto  group  was  in  the  last 
throes  of  dissolution  and  Duer  was  being  haled  to  jail, 
the  Ohio  Company  was  dividing  an  $80,000  dividend 
among  its  stockholders."  "That  a  group  of  men  who 
had  made  a  Massachusetts  legislative  committee  afraid 
of  their  own  shadows  would  have  allowed  this  dividend  to 
be  distributed,  if  there  could  have  been  found  the  least 
reason  why  the  Ohio  Company  should  be  held  responsible 
for  the  Scioto  speculation,  will  be  credited  by  no  sane 
person." 

Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman.1 

Marietta  6th  January  1792-3 
Dear  Sir 

I  shall  make  no  apology  for  troubling  you  with  this 
Letter,  your  own  benovolent  heart  will  apologize  for  me 
the  moment  you  are  informed  that  the  fubject  of  it  is  in 
favour  of  Strangers  who  have  been  grofsly  imposed  upon 
by  some  Speculating  Americans.  As  you  have  been  for 
a  long  time  at  the  Seat  of  Government,  you  must  have 
heard,  that  Certain  persons  calling  themselves  the  Scioto 
Compa,  by  their  Agent  Mr  Barlow  in  France  sold  large 
tracts  of  land  in  this  part  of  the  Country  to  a  number  of 
Gentlemen  there,  describing  the  same  by  a  Plan  there 
shewn  as  beginning  nearly  opposite  the  Mouth  of  the 
Great  Kanawa  and  extending  down  the  River  Ohio  to 
Scioto  River,  this  Land  was  fold  at  a  high  rate  and  (as  I 
am  informed)  one  half  the  purchase  fum  was  paid  down 

1  Congress  moved  to  Philadelphia,  December  6,  1790,  so  this  letter  must 
have  been  directed  there. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  195 

in  fpecie,  and  for  the  remaining  half  Bills  of  Excha  were 
drawn  or  such  other  fecurity  given  as  makes  it  highly 
probable  the  whole,  or  far  the  greatest  part  of  the  pur- 
chase fum  has  been  paid  —  In  full  confidence  in  the  Right 
of  the  said  Compa  to  dispose  of  said  Lands  a  number  of 
respectable  Gentlemen  embarked  bring  with  them  num- 
bers of  Servants  to  whom  they  promised  Lands  in  con- 
sideration of  their  Service  when  the  term  of  their  Service 
expired,  with  provisions  &  Cloathing  in  the  interim  —  In 
this  fituation  they  arrived  here,  and  began  (two  years 
ago)  a  fettlement  at  a  place  named  Gallipolis,  and  per- 
haps no  people  were  ever  more  industrious  in  clearing 
building  &c  &c  in  a  new  Country  than  they  were,  till  on 
compleating  the  Survey  of  the  Ohio  Company's  purchase 
it  was  found  to  include  not  only  the  Ground  where  their 
Town  ftands  but  also  a  great  part  of  the  lands  purchased 
of  the  Scioto  Company  —  This  news  was  nearly  fatal  to 
the  fettlement,  most  of  the  Servants  leaving  their  Mas- 
ters, giving  as  a  reason  that  they  would  not  be  able  to 
give  them  the  Lands  agreed  upon  at  the  expiration  of 
their  Service.  Notwithstanding  every  discouragement, 
a  number  of  the  principal  Gentlemen  have  had  the  forti- 
tude to  remain  on  the  Ground  flattering  they  should  have 
been  secured  in  their  titles  by  an  exchange  of  Lands  be- 
tween the  two  Companies  of  Scioto  and  Ohio  —  or  a  pur- 
chase from  the  latter  by  the  former  Compa,  which  last  it 
is  probable  would  have  taken  place  had  it  not  been  for  the 
failure  of  Mr  Duer,  but  this  has  set  them  all  on  note  — 
and  in  this  distrefsed  fituation  they  have  determined  to 
apply  to  Congrefs  for  relief.  Two  of  their  Agents  Mon- 
sieur De  Rome  and  Monsieur  Vandelbergen  are  now  here 
on  their  way  to  Phila  they  are  both  men  of  good  Charac- 
ters (well  known  in  this  County  to  which  Gallipolis  be- 
longs), and  as  such  my  dear  Friend  permit  me  to  intro- 
duce them  to  you.  They  have  not  any  particular  plan, 
but  mean  to  petition  Congrefs  generally  unless  otherwise 
advised  when  they  arrive  at  the  Seat  of  Government. 
Monr  de  Rome  fpeaks  good  english,  and  appears  to  me 
too  well  bred  to  be  troublesome.  He  will  give  you  a  true 
relation  of  their  present  situation  and  the  various  grada- 
tions that  have  led  to  it.  — I  have  confined  myself  to 


196  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

simple  facts,  the  general  Government  is  fully  adequate 
to  redrefs  all  wrongs  —  Nor  do  I  mean  to  include  all  the 
persons  who  are  ai'sociates  in  the  Scioto  Company  many 
of  whom  are  Gent"  of  known  and  acknowleged  worth,  but 
the  immediate  Actors  have  my  utmost  detestation. 

I  believe  you  never  received  my  last  letter,  but  as  it 
only  related  to  my  Family  and  private  concerns  'tis  of 
no  consequence.  I  only  mention  it  to  afsure  you  no  Let- 
ter of  yours  has  been  neglected. 

I  wish  I  could  write  you  any  thing  new  or  that  would 
be  agreeable  from  this  distant  part  of  the  world.  But  it 
is  from  you  we  are  to  expect  news.  We  are  constantly 
on  our  guard,  tho'  no  damage  has  been  done  for  some 
months  past  —  at  night  we  fasten  our  Gates  and  gener- 
ally are  confined  at  home  for  the  night.  —  We  have 
neither  poverty  nor  riches,  so  have  no  reason  to  repeat 
the  prayer  in  Proverbs  but  on  the  whole  are  contented 
with  our  Lot,  which  perhaps  is  really  preferable  to  that 
enjoy 'd  by  far  the  greatest  part  of  mankind.  My  two 
Grandchildren  are  looked  upon  as  none  such  here,  I  mean 
by  Grandma'  &  Ma'  —  The  oldest  is  a  pratler  and  by  the 
multiplicity  and  odness  of  her  questions,  is  sufficient 
amusement  when  confined  at  home.  The  Boy  is  about  6 
months  old,  is  a  fine  hearty  child,  and  bids  fair  (should 
he  live)  to  make  a  fubstantial  farmer,  the  honestest  and 
most  independent  of  all  callings. 

I  suppose  by  General  Putnam  who  is  to  leave  this  place 
soon  for  Phila  you  will  receive  a  number  of  Laws,  made 
for  the  Government  of  this  Territory,  the  fummer  past: 
I  wish  you  would  critically  examine  ym.  There  are  some 
of  them  which  want  explanation  and  others  not  founded 
on  any  Laws  of  the  original  States,  and  contrary  to  that 
general  Liberty  which  every  man  in  every  free  Govern- 
ment has  a  right  to,  particularly  that  prohibiting  the 
fale  of  foreign  Articles  except  by  persons  licensed,  this 
Law  has  a  direct  tendency  to  encourage  monopolies, 
which  ought  to  be  carefully  guarded  against  in  every  & 
especially  in  all  new  Countries  —  I  wish  you  would  con- 
sult Mr  Livermore  on  this  Act. 

My  famaly  join  their  most  cordial  wishes  for  your 
health  &  happinef  s  with  Dear  Sir 

Your  humble  Servant  J  Gilman. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  197 

175 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj. 
Ives  Gelman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plim0  May  6th  1793. 
To  Benja, —  Hannah,  &  Isaac,  if  with  y°  — 

My  dear,  very  dear  Children  —  I  long  to  see  you— -Oh 
when  will  ye  wishd  for  day  come,  when  our  anxious  disires 
may  be  gratifyd? —  I  check  ye  fond  thot — perhaps  never, 
in  this  world!  —  Well,  if  Heaven  shod  ordain  so,  let  us, 
my  dears  prepare  to  meet  in  Glory  —  where  friends  will 
never  regret  absence  &  feparation  more.  —  Do  you  think 
of  these  things,  my  dear  Hannah?  Do  you  practically 
think  you  shall  soon  die  —  that  this  world  is  not  your 
home  —  that  God  has  placed  you  here,  only  to  prepare 
for  Eternity  —  an  Endlefs  Eternity.  0  how  folemn  the 
Word!  Or,  on  the  other  hand,  is  your  Heart  taken  up 
with  your  dear  babes  &  Husband  &  pleafant  Enjoyments, 
fo  that  you  have  your  happinefs  &  hopes  only  in  this 
life.  —  if  so,  my  [chi]ld,  you  are  in  a  miferable  Condition, 
&  like  to  be  more  so  [torn]  all  thefe  are  dying  Comforts, 
&  may  leave  you,  at  an  unlookd  for  moment,  &  be  blafted 
in  Death  —  &  then  —  what  will  you  do,  &  where  will  you 
fly  for  help,  if  you  have  no  God  —  no  covenant  interest 
in  God,  for  your  Support?  Indeed,  my  dear  Children, 
you  must  have  a  better  Good  than  Earth  affords,  or  you 
must  be  forever  unfafe,  forever  wretched,  in  this  dying 
World.  — 

I  have  had  much,  much  Occafion  to  think  of  my  Chil- 
dren of  late  —  when  I  have  f een  such  great  —  such  aston- 
ishing Displays  of  divine  Grace  &  power  in  this  place, 
since  Jany  last  —  more  efpecially  among  the  younger  part 
of  this  Congregation  —  Such  a  folemn  Concern  for  their 
immortal  Souls  —  fuch  ardent  &  affecting  Enquiries, 
' 'What  shall  we  do  to  be  faved"  —  quitting  their  vain 
Amufements,  &  vain  Companions,  &  prefsing  into  the 
Kingdom  of  God  —  &  Numbers  of  them,  who,  a  little 
while  ago,  would  scarce  hear  much  less  talk  of  Religion, 
now,  —  with  cheerful  Joy  speaking  of  the  Glory  of  Christ 
&  heavenly  Thss,  &  longing  for  ye  Converf ion  of  others  — 
that  they  may  join  with  them  in  adoring  &  praifing  God 
for  redeeming  love. 


198  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

I  think  I  said  something  to  you,  of  this,  when  the  Awak- 
ening first  began  here,  in  one  of  my  last  letters  —  but 
forget  what,  &  of  whom  among  your  Acquaintance,  I 
wrote  —  Some,  I  will  here  mention,  who  we  have  reafon 
to  hope  &  trust  have  met  with  a  laving  Change  at  this 
period  &  joind  or  joining  to  ye  Church  —  Dr  Cotton — Mr 
Prince  —  Barn3  Churchills  Wife  —  Hannah  Nicolson  — 
Nancy  Dunham  —  one  Zilpah  Morton  (baptizd  ye  same 
day  you  was.)  Betfy  Withrill  —  Jefse  Bartlett  —  John 
Carver  —  young  Sam1  Bradford  —  Polly  Le  Baron  — 
Polly  Drew  —  Elijah  Donham  &  his  wife  —  two  of  Rich- 
ard Holmes's  Daughters  —  Lydia  Holmes  yl  was,  who 
marryd  Ths  Torrey  —  Tomme  Withrell  —  &  many  others, 
whom  you  are  not  acqd  with.  —  The  young  Christians, 
with  others  who  are  under  great  Concern  for  yr  Souls, 
meet  feveral  Evenings  in  the  week,  for  religious  Exer- 
cises &  Converfation  —  We  have  frequent  public  Preach- 
ing in  ye  Meetinghoufe  —  &  Ministers  from  abroad  visit 
&  preach  with  us.  You  would  be  astonishd  at  ye  Altera- 
tion in  this  town,  in  ye  Morals,  &  B[torn]  of  ye  people,  old 
&  young — Strangers  from  other  places,  who  [torn]  here, 
observe,  with  Surprize,  ye  great  Decency,  order  &  good 
behav[torn] 

The  little  Children  appear  unufually  imprefsd  —  sev- 
eral of  them  we  have  reafon  to  hope,  have  become  new 
Creatures  —  they  af sociate  together  of  yr  own  Motion,  as 
often  as  two  Evenings  in  a  week,  for  f erious  Exercif es  — 
2  or  3  of  those,  whom  we  hope  well  of  —  lead  in  them  — 
pray  with  their  Mates  —  read  &  fing  —  &  break  up  in 
good  feason,  &  retire  home  in  order  &  peace  —  They  have 
met  twice  at  our  houf e  —  We  had  a  Def ire  to  hear  ym,  in 
an  adjoining  Chamber  —  &  the  solemnity  —  &  ye  Expref- 
sions  in  Prayer,  were  perfectly  surprizing  —  for  Propri- 
ety. When  they  broke  up,  our  people  counted  them  as 
they  went  out,  &  there  were  92  of  'em  —  &  you  would  not 
have  known,  if  you  were  below  Stairs,  that  there  was  any 
body  in  ye  house,  befides  our  own  family  —  such  was  ye 
Order  &  Silence  &  Solemnity  among  ym.  —  from  about  16 
years  old,  down  to  8  or  7.  —  Never,  truly,  was  there  such 
a  Day,  since  I  knew  this  place  —  nor  for  above  50  years 
before  the  present  time.  —  I  know  that  God  is  not  limited 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  199 

to  time,  nor  place — but  I  have,  at  this  remarkable  fea- 
son,  been  ready  to  wifh  yl  my  dear  Children  had  been 
with  us  —  when  God  has  come  so  near  to  us,  in  fuch  vif- 
ible  tokens  of  his  Grace  &  power,  &  been  ready  to  fay, 
who  knows  but  fome  of  mine  might  be  made  Sharers  in 
this  great  Salvation.  —  0  cutting  thot,  to  think  that^  they 
shod  remain  in  an  unconverted,  Christlefs  State  &  live  & 
die  Enemies  to  God,  &  be  lost  forever  — while  others  of 
their  acquaintance,  Companions  &  friends  are  calld  into 
the  Kingdom  of  Grace,  &  preparing  for  the  Kingdom  of 

Glory!  ' 

However  —  God  is  every  where  —  &  tho  it  is,  &  must 
be  owned  to  be  a  great  privilege  to  live  in  a  day  &  place, 
where  the  Spirit  of  God  is  poured  out  in  gracious  Effu- 
sions, for  ye  Conviction  &  Conversion  of  Sinners  —  Yet  I 
will  hope  for  you  &  yours,  &  for  all  our  Children  that  they 
may  not  be  left  behind,  when  others  are  taken — but  that 
God  will,  in  infinite  mercy,  bring  them  all  to  ye  Knowl- 
edge of  themf elves  —  of  yr  perishing  conditions  by  nature, 
&  to  look  to  Jesus  Christ  alone  for  help  &  Salvation. — 
Dont  think  yourfelves  happy,  be  your  circumftances  what 
they  may,  but  view  yourfelves  in  an  infinlly  dangerous  & 
wretched  Condition,  till  your  peace  is  made  with  God,  by 
a  faving  Interest  in  Chrift  — thus  you11  be  prepared  to 
live  &  prepd  to  die.  — 

We  hear,  now  &  then,  from  your  Br°  Chr  &  from 
jenny  —  they  are  well  —  Jenny  has  another  Son  —  born 
15th  Feb.  last.  Aunt  Thomfon  &  George,  (who  lives  at 
home  now,  &  ftudies  wth  Majr  Thomas)  are  well,  &  fend 
Love  —  So  does  yr  Grand  Mar,  who  is  well,  for  her  —  Old 
Mrs  Bartlett  is  dead  — So  is  Mrs  Dowe  &  sev1  others  this 
Spring.  —  Mercy  Rufsell  lies  dangerously  fick  —  ye  Event 
is  fearful  — Betfy  Withrell  alfo,  of  ye  fame  fever  — but 
hope  is  getting  better  — 0  Hannah,  I  must  tell  you,  since 
I  mention  her  —  you  wod  have  been  affected,  you  wod  have 
wept,  to  have  feen  &  heard  Betfy,  last  week,  when  they 
were  all  affraid  she  wod  die  —  look  up  upon  us  &  fay  — 
"Oh  I  have  no  will  but  Gods  will  —  whither  to  live  or 
die  —  I  know  tis  a  folemn  thing  to  die  —  but  I  can  fweetly 
glide  thro  ye  dark  valley,  looking  to  Jesus,  &  putting  my 
whole  trust  in  him"  —  these  were  her  words  —  Oh  ye 


200  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

power  &  Comfort  of  Religion  in  life  or  Death!  &  how 
beautiful  in  young  perfons.  Our  dearest  Love  attends 
y°  both  &  yr  sweet  Babes  —  Parents  &c.  Do  write  us,  & 
abl  dear  Isaac.     Yr  afr1  Parts  Chandler  &  Jane  Robbins. 

176 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives 
Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plym0,  Decr  13th,  1793. 

My  dear,  very,  very  dear  Hannah.  You  &  your  best 
of  husbands  have  been  so  good  about  writing,  and  it  gives 
us  so  much  heartfelt  satisfaction  to  hear  from  you,  that 
I  criminate  myself  for  writing  no  oftener  —  for  I  have 
been  looking  over  in  my  Almanach  my  List  of  letters 
wrote  to  &  recieved  from,  &  I  find  yours  exceeds  mine  to 
you.  This  hurts  me  —  for  I  always  thot,  &  intended  to 
write  oftener  than  I  recd  —  But  will  endeavor  to  make 
Amends  in  future,  if  God  may  please  to  afford  Opp°. 
Last  Evening,  we  were  made  very  happy  in  recng  yours  of 
ye  1st  Novr,  by  Mrs  Hafkell,  as  you  fay,  tho  it  came  by  ye 
post,  from  Boston  only.  You  say  you  shall  miss  ye  C° 
of  this  good  Lady  —  I  am  sorry  you  shod  be  deprived  of 
any  confolation,  at  that  distance  from  us.  But  there  is 
one  friend,  (if  we  will  make  him  fuch,  &  will  choofe  him 
for  our  friend)  who  will  never  leave  —  never  forfake  us  — 
who  will  be  a  constant  friend,  &  a  powerful  helper  in  the 
greatest  Exigences  —  &  efpecially  in  the  last  Scene,  which 
must  Seperate  us  from  all  mortal  friends.  —  O  my  Han- 
nah, I  muft,  I  do,  I  will  hope,  that  while  you  are  far  re- 
moved from  your  tender  Earthly  Parents,  you  will  feek 
&  fecure  this  imortal,  Etern1  friend.  The  deareft,  sweet- 
est Connections  &  Comforts,  without  this,  are  totally  un- 
certain, &  will  be  unavailing,  in  the  greatest  Emergen- 
cies—  particularly  in  a  dying  hour. 

How  often,  my  dear  Children,  do  you  think  we  v 
thought  of  you  in  this  View,  for  thefe  12  mos  past,  while 
we  have  seen  fuch  aftonishing  displays  of  y6  power  & 
fovn  grace  of  Christ,  towards  f o  many  of  ye  Youth  in  this 
town  —  in  turning  them  from  Darknefs  to  Light  —  from 
ye  Error  of  yr  ways  to  ye  Wisdom  of  ye  Just,  &  in  open- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  201 

ing  their  mouths  in  ye  praife  of  God  &  his  redeeming 
Love.  Never  in  your,  or  our  day,  has  anything  taken 
place  comparable  to  it  —  And  the  Change  in  them,  ap- 
pears happily  abiding,  &  not  as  ye  morning  Cloud  y4  foon 
pafseth  away  —  Their  fruits  evidence  the  feriousnefs  of 
their  Converfion.  And  I  believe  there  never  has  been  an 
Instance,  (where  there  has  been  fo  great  a  Revival  of  Re- 
ligion) that  there  has  been  fo  little  vifible  Oppofsition,  & 
fo  free  from  corrupt  mixtures,  Disorder  or  Irregularity. 
And  thro  ye  goodnefs  of  God,  we  ftill  have  Tokens  of  his 
gracious  pref ence  &  power  —  tho  not  in  f o  great  &  vifible 
a  degree,  as  in  the  Spring  &  Summer  past.  Private 
Meetss  &  Conferences  for  religious  Exercifes  are  still  kept 
up  —  &  appear  to  be  attended  with  ye  pref  ence  &  blefsing 
of  God.  0  that  you  &  all  our  dear  Children  may  become 
"New  Creatures"  —  "born  again"  — &  pofsefsed  of  that 
Religion  which  your  Bible,  which  Jesus  Cx  afsures  y°  is 
abfolutely  necefsary  in  ordr  to  enter  into  ye  Kingdom  of 
Heaven ! 

How  is  your  Brother  Isaac  now?  You  or  your  husbd 
wrote,  not  long  since,  that  you  concieved  great  hopes,  & 
believed,  that  after  all,  he  would  become  a  steady,  good 
man.  You  dont  imagine  what  Comfort  it  gave  us.  —  And 
what  added  to  our  Satisfaction  &  increased  our  hopes, 
was,  a  letter  we  received  from  him,  not  long  ago,  in  which 
his  mind  appeared  very  thotful,  &  it  was  evident  he  was, 
at  times,  under  ferious  Imprefsions  about  ye  great  Con- 
cerns of  a  future  world.  I  wrote  him  an  Anfwer  —  twas 
sometime  in  Novr  —  hope  he  has  recd  it.  Wifh  to  know 
where  he  is.  I  don't  get  any  Idea  by  his  dating  Buf- 
falo—  Charleft"  &c.  It  cant  be  y4  Buffalo  Creek  where 
ye  Savages  make  yr  incurfions  &  have  killd  our  pple,  can 
it?  Where  does  it  lie !  &  how  far  from  you?  Do  write  us 
more  about  Isaac,  in  yr  next — You  can  both  of  you  eafily 
concieve  how  rejoiced  our  hearts  must  be,  &  wl  good 
News  from  yl  far  C°,  it  would  be,  to  hear  of  a  thoro,  last- 
ing Change  in  that  dear  Child.  Heaven  grant  us  the 
Satisfaction!  —  How  could  it  be  pofsible  Hannah,  that 
you  shod  not  fay  a  word  about  your  dear  Babes,  with  re- 
fpect  to  Smallpox  —  You  dont  know  how  anxious  we  felt 
for  them  for  ye  last  News  about  them  was,  you  told  us 


202  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

in  your  last  letter,  (before  this)  they  were  innoculated  ye 
very  day  before  you  wrote.  —  But  we  fafely  conclude 
from  yr  Silence  that,  they  got  well,  &  had  it  favorably  — 
&  will  rejce  for  it. 

You  exprefs  a  longing  desire  to  fee  us  —  Nor  is  it 
greater,  or  more  ardent  &  conftant  than  ours  to  fee  you 
&  yours.  0  when  will  ye  welcome  hour  arrive?  If  it 
were  not  for  this  unfortun1  Indian  War,  we  shod  hope 
it  woud  be  fpeedily  —  But  I  shod  almoft  be  affraid  to 
have  you  come  now.  —  If  it  pleafe  God  to  put  a  final  & 
happy  End  to  it,  we  don't  wholly  defpair,  (shod  you  re- 
main there,  whb  we  often  are  ready  to  hope  may  not  be 
ye  cafe,  if  confistent)  of  once  feeing  that  world.  But  this, 
as  well  as  every  thing  elfe,  in  ys  mutable  State  of  yss,  is 
uncertain.  But  while  this  happinefs  is  denyd  us,  do  let 
us  try  to  make  it  up  by  more  frequent  epistolary  Com- 
munications—  I  have  had  much  on  my  hands,  of  late  in 
that  way.  By  some  Turn  in  ye  Difpenfation  of  prov- 
idence, I  have  lately  a  pretty  extenfive  Correfpondence 
open'd  in  England,  in  sev1  parts  of  it  —  both  Clergy  & 
other  religious  Characters  in  ye  civil  &  Mercantile  line 
of  Life.  Have  recieved,  about  3  weeks  ago,  large  pack- 
etts,  with  fome  Books  &c  from  y1  quarter  —  And  was  all 
last  week  writing  Anfwers  —  to  go  by  our  last  fhip  this 
Seaf on  bound  for  London.  —  The  Names  of  the  persons  — 
Revd  Dr  Williams  —  Little  —  Hutchnsn  —  Blackmore  &c. 
The  latter  of  thefe,  (a  Merch1)  has  large  Connect"8  & 
Dependants,  &  has  thots  of  coming  over  here  —  writes  for 
fome  particular  Information  of  Matters  &  things,  with  y1 
View. 

There  is  not  anything  fpecial  here  that  I  think  of,  fince 
I  wrote  you  before ;  —  except  that  it  has  been  very  sickly 
here,  &  in  other  places,  in  Sep1  &  Octr — chiefly  ye  Dyfsen- 
tery.  But  thro  ye  tender  Mercy  of  God,  while  others 
have  dyed,  &  Numbers  calld  to  mourning,  we  &  ours  have 
been  f pared.  Tho  your  Mother,  (I  think  I  mentd  in  my 
last)  was  vifited  with  it,  &  bad,  fome  days,  but  is  now  as 
well  as  ufual,  &  ye  reft  of  us.  Grandmar  is  yet  with  us, 
&  in  Statu  quo  —  sends  her  Love  to  you  all.  We  had  let- 
ters ab*  3  Weeks  ago  from  Jenny,  &  alfo  from  Chr  &  Har- 
riott—  all  well  there.     Poor  Co1  Lothrop  is  in  a  mifer- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  203 

able  Situation  —  has  been  quite  deranged  in  bis  SenXes  — 
bis  Brothers  bire  him  boarded  up  at  Kempton's  place,  a 
mile  off — but  he  appears  to  be  just  gone  —  I  was  called 
to  see  him  yesterday,  thot  to  be  dying.  —  Poor  soul  — 
broken  —  ruined  &  fallen,  by  every  kind  of  Excefs. — 
John  Watfon's  Wife  is  dead  —  dyd  ab1  a  month  ago,  of  y* 
Dyfsentery  —  &  feveral  others,  whom  you  was  not  acqd 
with. 

Your  Mama  &  Aunt  Thn,  ye  week  before  last,  went  to 
Bofton,  by  land,  &  returned  ye  fame  week — had  a  pleas* 
Journey  &  Visit.  Judge  Gill  gave  her,  as  ufual,  a  large 
Cheese  ab1  40lb,  made  at  Princeton.  —  But  one  thing  your 
Mar  was  exceedgly  pleasd  with.  She  was  at  Cambridge 
&  law  there  Mrs  Dunkin,  who  moved  from  Philada  (where 
they  live)  last  Summer  —  She  told  yr  Mother,  they  efteem 
it  a  trifling  Journey,  from  Phila  to  Marietta.  And  that 
she  had  an  Acquaint06  of  hers  there  who  was  going  to 
Marietta,  not  long  since —  (Name  she  yr  Mar  thinks  was 
Hunt) — Sukey  chargd  him  to  call  &  fee  you  —  On  his 
Return,  she  enquired  of  him  —  &  he  told  her  he  did  —  "  & 
a  finer  Woman  he  never  faw  in  his  life,  &  was  almoft 
fallen  in  Love  —  And  two  fuch  Children  as  she  had,  he 
never  laid  his  Eyes  on  before."  —  Thus  much  for  that. 
It  was  pleafing  to  a  Parent  —  i  e,  fupposing  twas  true, 
that  he  did  call  on  you.  —  &  I  have  no  reaf on  to  think  the 
Gentleman  made  ye  Story  to  pleafe  Mrs  Dunkin.  —  Our 
Children  all  send  Love.  You  made  us  laugh  when  in 
yours  you  say  "Dear  little  Peter  I  hope  is  well."  You 
have  no  Idea,  I  conclude,  yl  little  Peter  is  bigger  yn  Sam 
was  wn  y°  faw  him  —  &  that  he  ftudies  &  recites  Virgil  — 
Tully  &c  &  is  almoft  fitted  for  College.  Sam1,  will  go,  I 
fuppe  next  Commencement  —  &  Peter  might  be  got  ready 
by  y*  time,  but  he  is  too  young  yet,  Old  Anna  is  yet 
aiive — but  poorly,  lives  at  her  Mother's — but  crawls 
over  here  now  &  then.  —  Well  my  dear  Children  —  I  v 
written  a  long,  tho  promifcuous  Epistle.  Do  write  wn  y° 
recieve  it,  if  y°  ever  do.  We  all  join  in  ye  tendereft  Emo- 
tions of  Love  to  you  both  &  sweet  Babes.  Alfo,  kind 
Regds  to  yr  dear  &  worthy  Parents.  Write  Soon,  my  Son, 
&  tell  all  ab*  ye  War  &c  &  your  Situat"  —  hopes  —  fears 
&c  if  it  continues,  I  pray  y°  leave  that  &  come  back  to 


204  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

ye  Bofom  of  yr  Native  C°  &  friends,  &  rejce  ye  Ht3  of  yr 
aff'  Parents  Chandler  &  Jane  Bobbins. 

P.  S.  Unhappily,  my  dear  Daught1",  ye  Post  went  off 
last  week,  &  forgot  my  Letter.  Therefore  I  newclate  it, 
viz.  Dec1"  24th  —  Nothing  special  to  add  —  except  that 
GrandMar  is  a  little  more  poorly,  for  a  day  or  two  than 
usual — but  she  oft  has  ill  turns.  One  or  two  fudden 
Deaths.  Old  Mr  Nelfon  whom  they  calld  Uncle  Johnny  is 
dead  —  &  Bill  Barnes,  a  drinking  man,  went  to  bed  well 
N :  before  last,  &  found  Dead  in  ye  Morning.  —  Last  Sabb. 
being  Fr.  Fathrs  day  at  ye  Defire  of  ye  pple  I  preachd  a  Fr. 
Frsl  Sermon.  Han  Nicolson  is  going  to  be  marry4  to  a 
Gentleman  merch1  in  Salem  —  pious  Man  &  an  excell1 
Match.  —  Write  abl  Geo.  Torrey.  His  friends  v  nevr  hd 
by  letter  fr  him. 

PLYMOUTH.         Decm  23d  —  25 
Mr  Benj:a  Ives  Gilman. 
pr  Post  Marietta 

To  ye  Postoffice  in  Ohio 

Pittsburg 

Via  Philada. 

177 
Mrs.  Benj.  Ives   Gilman   to  Rev.   Tristram  Gilman, 
North  Yarmouth,  Me. 

Plymouth  December  29th  1794 
My  Dear  Uncle  — 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  a  line  from  you  some 
time  ago  —  and  as  its  not  disagreeable  to  you  should 
have  wrote  you  before,  had  I  been  favour*  with  an  Op- 
portunity.—  You  mention  a  desire  to  be  informed  the 
particulars  of  my  Journey.  —  I  took  leave  of  the  best  of 
Husbands,  and  loveliest  of  Children  2d  of  June  Just  be- 
fore day.  —  Mr  Gilman  hired  8  Men  to  come  up  the  River 
by  land.  As  a  safeguard  to  us  in  the  barge  —  seven  in 
number.  —  As  we  came  against  the  Current,  we  could  not 
go  further  than  40  miles  that  day.  at  night,  I  requested 
the  owner  of  the  barge  to  let  me  anchor  off  in  the  middle 
of  the  River,  lest  there  should  be  enemy  on  shore.  —  he 

i  Forefathers'  Day. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  205 

consented  —  and    remained   with   me    and   my    Brother 
Isaac,  who  was  with  me  —  on  board.  —  I  pafs'd  a  very  dis- 
agreeable night,  but  was  a  good  Centinel  for  my  fellow 
pafsengers  on  shore.  —  next  night  we  got  to  a  good  sta- 
tion 80  miles  from  Marietta,  and  out  of  danger  from  In- 
dians.—  4th  of  June,  we  arrived  at  Charlestown  Mouth 
of  Buffaloe.  —  Here  my  Brother  Isaac  resides.     106  miles 
from  Marietta.  —  Mr  Bailey  and  myself  then  took  Horses, 
and  commenced  our  Journey.  —  nothing  material  hap- 
pen"1 till  we  got  within  three  days  ride  of  my  Uncles  at 
Norfolk,  State  of  Conecticut.1  —  where  Mr  Bailey  went 
to  the  stable  for  my  horse,  and  found  he  had  a  swelling 
on  his  back  near  as  big  as  my  head.  — For  the  first  time, 
I  felt  discourage"1  &  disheartned.  —  After  I  saw  it — I 
went  into  the  house,  began  to  think  of  &  wish  for  the 
presence  and  advice  of  my  dear  Husband.  —  I  was  going 
to  give  vent  to  the  feelings  of  my  heart— but  check"1  my- 
self, and  determined  to  overcome  such  feelings,  and  reas- 
sume  my  former  resolution.  —  I  went  to  Mr  Bailey,  told 
him  that  as  the  horse  was  a  very  fine  one,  perhaps  he 
could  exchange  him,  with  a  trifle  for  one  not  so  good, 
he  went  out,  &  soon  returned  with  another  horse,  and 
Just  before  night  we  proceeded  on  our  Journey.  —  I  rode 
him  as  far  as  my  Uncle's— but  as  I  was  not  use'd  to  a 
trotting  horse,  it  overcame  me  so  much  that  I  determined 
to  take  the  Heartford  Stage,  and  proceed  to  Boston.— 
After  resting  some  days  at  my  Uncle's,  I  took  a  seat  in 
the  Stage,  &  arrived  at  Boston  1st  day  of  July.  — doubt- 
lefs  my  dear  Sir,  you  read  an  account  of  the  terrible  Tor- 
nado in  Conecticut,  — I  forgot  to  mention,  that  I  saw  the 
Cloud  rising  in  its  awful  Grandeur,  and  had  I  been  2 
hours  sooner,  should  have  been  caught  in  the  dreadful 
scene.  —  But  I  was  remarkably  preserved  —  and  much 
favourd  with  regard  to  the  weather,  was  not  detain 'd  one 
quarter  of  an  hour  by  rain.  — It  seem"1  as  if  Providence 
smiled  upon  the   undertaking  — Every  difficulty  I  met 
with,  appear  'd  but  for  a  moment.— Hope  I  shall  ever  re- 
member with   gratitude   to   Heaven,   my  preservations 
thro'  that  long  Journey,  and  Gods  mercy  to  me  since  my 
arrival  here.  — Thus  my  clear  Uncle  as  you  wish"1  — I 

i  Eev.  Ammi  Euhamah  Eobbins. 


206  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

have  wrote  you  a  particular  account  of  my  Journey.1  —  I 
thank  you  my  dear  Sir  for  your  good  wishes  for  myself 
&  dear  absent  family.  I  was  pleas 'd  with  the  account  of 
your  Children  —  Joseph,  I  remember  to  have  seen  at  Ex- 
eter, the  others,  I  never  saw.  —  It  would  afford  great 
pleasure  to  receive  a  line  from  any  of  them,  I  feel  inter- 
ested in  their  concerns  and  wish  them  Happy.  —  Please 
to  excuse  my  writing  so  lengthy  —  and  all  inaccuracies  — 
and  believe  me  with  respect  your  dutiful  & 

Affectionate  Niece  Hannah  G-ilman 

178 

Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins'  mother,  Mrs.  Peter  Gilman, 
died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Thomas  Cary,  in 
Newburyport,  March  9,  1795,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one. 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  his  wife,  Plymouth,  Mass. 

Marietta  April  25th  1795. 

By  the  last  mail  but  one  I  wrote  you  my  dear  H  that 
I  could  not  commence  my  journey  so  soon  as  proposed  — 
About  the  time  that  I  proposed  leaving  this  Col0  Meigs 
received  an  appointment  in  the  Indian  Department  and 
is  gone  to-  attend  the  Treaty :  of  course  the  Prothono- 
tary's  Office  became  vacant  —  This  Office  at  present  is 
not  very  lucrative  but  is  daily  encreasing  and  is  a  re- 
spectable appointment  —  Several  Candidates  appeared 
and  I  had  some  doubts  whether  I  could  obtain  the  Office, 
altho'  the  Court  and  many  other  Gentleman  were  my 
friends  — 

Governor  Sl  Clair  arrived  here  the  22d  ins1.  I  waited 
on  him  and  he  immediately  introduced  the  subject  and 
after  many  exprefsions  of  friendship,  told  me  that  he 
would  with  great  pleasure  appoint  me  to  the  Office  or  any 
other  in  the  County  in  his  power  to  bestow.  —  To-morrow 
I  expect  to  receive  the  Commifsion  and  take  pofefsion  of 
the  papers.  —  I  have  been  thus  particular  for  your  satis- 
faction as  you  must  have  been  anxious  to  know  the  cause 
that  put  off  my  Journey.  —  It  is  necefsary  for  me  to  be 

i  Mrs.  Gilman  's  third  child,  Benjamin  Ives,  was  born  at  Plymouth, 
October  3,  1794,  after  this  difficult  journey. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  207 

here  at  June  Court,  immediately  after  which  I  shall  com- 
mence travelling.  —  I  am  aware  of  the  difficulties  that  will 
attend  so  long  a  Journey  in  the  heat  of  Summer,  particu- 
larly wh  a  young  child:  but  on  the  other  hand,  future 
prospects  must  not  be  wholly  sacrificed  to  present  con- 
venience—  I  must  either  travel  in  Summer  or  wait  untill 
September  Court  is  over,  which  would  be  extremely  dis- 
agreeable as  I  cannot  think  of  living  so  long  without 
y0U>  —  I  doubt  not  but  this  absence  from  your  family  is 
very  distrefsing:  but  did  you  know  the  keen  sorrows  I 
feel  at  this  long,  this  painful  seperation,  your  own  suf- 
ferings would  vanish  and  sympathy  for  your  husband 
occupy  your  whole  attention.  —  I  am  sometimes  so  anx- 
ious to  be  with  you  and  our  dear  little  Ives,  that  I  deter- 
mine to  set  off  immediately  and  should,  did  not  prudence 
come  to  my  aid  and  say  that  its  impofsible  —  Alas,  a 
Journey  from  here  to  Plym0  is  no  trifle  and  a  thousand 
things  must  concur  to  make  it  eligible.  —  The  Expence, 
Time,  Mode  of  Journeying  &c  &c  &c  &c:  are  all  to  be 
maturely  considered.  —  I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  my 
dear   parents   are   frequently   indisposed  —  particularly 
my  Mother  who  has  some   alarming  Symptoms  —  She 
however  is  not  confined  —  We  yesterday  had  a  new  Maid, 
which  will  relieve  my  mother  from  much   care  —  Her 
name  is  Rebeca  Jones  (or  Lake)  you  have  perhaps  seen 
her  washing  for  Mrs  Meigs  —  She  had  eighteen  months  to 
serve  and  we  gave  twenty  dollars  to  Mrs  Lake  for  her 
time  and  are  to  give  her  perhaps  ten  dollars  worth  of 
Clothes  —  You  will  doubtlefs  concur  with  me  in  this,  that 
it  is  highly  improper  for  me  to  be  absent  from  home  long, 
on  account  of  the  situation  of  the  family,  (independent  of 
any  consideration  of  my  businefs)  I  therefore  wish  you 
immediately  on  the  receipt  of  this  Letter,  to  write  me  a 
Line  (which  shall  expect  to  receive  by  the  20th  of  June) 
and  inform  me,  whether  it  will  be  possible  for  you  to 
meet  me  either  at  Hartford,  New  York,  Philad  or  any 
other  place,  for  even  at  Connecticut,  it  would  save  me 
four  weeks  time.  — Do  not  think  by  my  so  frequently  and 
earnestly  asking  you  to  meet  me  half  way,  that  I  wish  you 
to  travel  in  an  "improper  manner:  far  from  it  —  I  would 
rather  go  to  the  Province  of  Main  for  you,  than  to  have 
you  travel  ten  miles  without  a  kind  afsistant  and  pro- 


208  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

tector  —  Ah!  that  Journey  from  Hartford  to  Boston,  the 
bare  recollection  of  it  fills  me  with  inexprefsible  hor- 
ror1—  Good  Heaven!  had  I  known,  at  the  time,  of  your 
situation,  I  should  have  been  distracted — There  was 
something  even  in  the  appearance  of  the  thing  (inde- 
pendent of  the  danger)  that  wounds  &  Mortify s  my  feel- 
ings beyond  expref sion.  —  I  was  much  grieved  at  the  ace1 
of  our  Sons  illnefs  mentioned  in  your  last  (Mar :  6)  — let 
us  thank  heaven  for  his  recovery  &  for  the  unusual  share 
of  health  that  our  dear  Children  enjoy  at  this  place  — 
Jose  is  now  standing  at  my  elbow  and  knowing  that  this 
Letter  is  for  you  desires  (of  his  own  accord)  that  I  would 
tell  you  that  he  "is  a  good  Boy  and  that  he  will  be  very 
glad  if  you  will  come  home  soon".  —  Jane  is  constantly 
talking  of  you  and  every  Boat  that  appears  in  sight,  she 
enquires  of  me  if  you  are  not  on  Board  —  I  should  prefer 
bringing  you  to  Philad  by  Water,  if  you  can  consent,  or 
in  a  Horse  &  Chaise  —  I  fear  travelling  in  the  Stages  will 
be  dangerous  for  our  infant.  —  Write  me  what  a  Strong 
horse  and  fecond  hand  Chaise  can  be  purchased  for. — 
However  (as  I  have  always  said)  the  mode  of  Journey- 
ing shall  be  left  to  your  choice.  —  Judge  Putnam  is  gone 
on  to  N  E  he  proposes  being  in  Boston  at  Election  —  I 
have  desired  him  to  receive  my  2d  Dividend  of  the  Funds 
of  Col0  Talmadge  and  leave  it  (about  60  or  70  dollars) 
with  Mr  Gridley  or  John  Davis  Esq1"  to  be  paid  by  them 
to  Your  Pa 'a  or  his  order  —  This  renders  it  unnecefsary 
for  me  to  go  to  Litchfield.  —  I  wish  you  to  send  to  Boston 
and  buy  me  a  Treatise  on  rearing  Cattle  &c  by  John  Mills 
Esqr  (which  I  have  seen  advertised  in  the  Centinel)  — 
Prepare  yourself  for  surprise !  Lucy  W ge  was  mar- 
ried a  few  nights  since  to  Judge  Petit  and  yesterday  set 

off  for  Gallipolis  —  Mrs  W ge  and  Clara  B s,  set 

off  the  day  before  for  Connec1  For  reasons  (to  be  here- 
after mentioned)  I  wish  you  not  to  go  thro  Norwich,  as 
I  do  not  wish  you  to  call  on  that  Family.  —  Our  neigh- 

1  It  is  odd  that  Mr.  Giuman  was  horrified  at  his  wife's  having  traveled 
alone  in  a  stage  from  Hartford  to  Boston,  and  yet  he  treated  her  going  from 
Marietta  to  Hartford  by  boat  and  on  horseback  with  a  friend  as  quite  an 
ordinary  thing.  It  seems  to  be  the  latest  custom  that  is  the  objectionable 
one. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  209 

bour  Mrs  Schaumaun  is  dead  —  Dr  Spencer,  Col°  Lord  and 
others  are  settled  five  miles  below  here  on  the  Virginia 
side  of  the  River.  —  Every  account  from  below  mentions 
the  prospect  of  peace :  Majr  Cafs  *  (who  commands  Fort 
Hamilton)  writes  me  that  he  has  no  more  doubts  of  a 
peace  taking  place  than  that  the  Muskingum  empties  into 
the  Ohio  —  Govr  Sl  Clair  says  there  is  not  the  least  dan- 
ger of  any  difficulties  arising  &  indeed  this  is  the  opinion 
of  all  intelligent  persons.  —  I  am  very  anxious  to  have 
you  here  in  August  so  that  you  may  taste  of  the  earliest 
Peaches  —  the  prospect  is  good  and  if  the  Trees  bear  as 
well  as  usual  we  shall  have  two  hundred  bushels  this 
Year.  — 

I  have  made  considerable  additions  to  our  fruit  this 
Year  —  Four  thousand  Cions  of  apple  Trees  beside  Rare 
Ripes,  Pears  &c,  were  sent  on  to  this  place  by  a  Mr  Put- 
nam they  were  collected  in  Connec1  R  Island  &  New 
York  —  I  grafted  fifty  apple  trees  which  are  all  living 
but  five  —  there  are  Sixteen  kinds;  among  which  are 
Newton  Pippins,  R.  I.  Greenings,  fix  kinds  of  Permains 
&c  &c  —  I  have  also  Apricots  &  Nectarines  growing. — 
We  intend  sending  on  this  Winter  for  Cions  of  the  most 
celebrated  plums,  pears  and  peaches  in  order  to  make  our 
collection  of  fruit  as  complete  as  pof sible.  —  This  climate 
is  so  favourable  to  Fruit  Trees  that  there  is  great  pleas- 
ure in  paying  unusual  attention  to  them.  —  I  shall  trouble 
Your  good  Pa 'a  to  collect  me  a  Box  of  Cions,  this  fall,  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Boston  — 

The  Inhabitants  are  moving  out  daily,  and  the  prospect 
of  peace,  so  long  wishd  for,  gladens  the  hearts  of  all.  —  I 
wish  it  was  pofsible  for  me  to  pafs  even  a  few  days  at 
Plymouth,  but  this  inexpref sible  pleasure,  it  is  impofsible 
for  me  to  enjoy,  for  should  I  come  on  that  far  my  hurry 
would  be  so  great  that  I  could  not  stay  more  than  one 
day  —  I  must  therefore  solace  myself  with  the  reflection 
that  on  your  next  visit  I  shall  be  there  with  You.  —  You 

i  Major  Jonathan  Cass  was  a  native  of  Exeter,  served  through  the  Eev- 
olution,  and  attained  the  rank  of  major  in  Ohio  later.  He  married  in 
1781,  a  Mary  Gilman  and  had  a  son,  Lewis,  born  1782,  who  studied  law  at 
Marietta,  was  governor  of  Michigan  in  1814,  secretary  of  war  in  1831, 
United  States  senator  in  1844  and  1851,  and  secretary  of  state  in  1857.  He 
died  in  1866.    See  his  letter  of  February  9,  1832. 


210  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

have  probably  seen  Majr  Haskell  before  this,  I  write  him 
by  this  Post. — If  he  brings  on  Mrs  H,  this  year,  cannot 
we  contrive  to  come  on  in  Company  —  It  would  be  pecu- 
liarly agreeable  to  me. — 

I  almost  always  neglect  mentiong  Duty,  Respects, 
Compts  &c  to  friends,  You  must  always  give  them,  as 
much  as  if  I  mentioned  it  in  the  most  formal  manner.  — 
Cathe  Warth  (Thierry)  has  a  fon  —  fhe  is  married  again, 
to  a  Frenchman  at  Gallipolis. —  She  was  married  in  the 
House  we  lived  in,  Thierrys  House  not  being  large 
enough  to  accommodate  the  Guests.  —  We  had  a  smart 
frolic.  Madame  Petit  was  there  —  Judge  Petit  was  mar- 
ried sans  Cerimonie.  —  I  dined  yesterday  at  Col0 
Sproats:  Governour,  &  a  select  Company.  —  Mrs  Sproat 
is  one  of  the  most  agreeable  women  in  the  world  —  She  is 
extremely  anxious  to  see  you  —  There  is  a  coolnefs  be- 
tween Col0  S  &  Judge  W ge  that  affects  the  fam- 
ilies. —  I  have  crouded  this  Letter  &  wish  the  paper  was 
ten  times  so  large  as  writing  to  You  is  the  only  amuse- 
ment I  enjoy —                    Your  affectionate 

B  :  I :  Gilman 

179 

Benj.  Ives  Gllman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

Marietta  December  27th  1795. 
Dear  Sir 

We  have  been  informed  that  Congrefs  would  probably 
establish  a  Land  Office  this  Sefsion.  As  I  feel  interested 
in  this  measure  from  my  local  situation,  I  have  taken  the 
liberty  to  addrefs  You,  Sir,  for  information  on  the  sub- 
ject- 
Whenever  Congrefs  open  their  Lands  for  Sale,  I  hope 
it  will  be  under  such  restrictions,  as  will  prevent  Specu- 
lators, with  large  Capitals  from  engrofsing.  If  pru- 
dently managed  the  North-Western  Territory  will  be  a 
ver^  productive  source  of  Revenue  for  the  United  States. 
I  have  also  taken  the  liberty  of  enclosing  a  Letter  for 
Mr  G.  Lamson  &  one  for  Col0  Sargent.  Should  the  latter 
not  be  in  Philadelphia,  will  thank  you,  Sir,  to  keep  it  until 
his  arrival. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  211 

Our  townsman  Cap*  0 n  has  left  this  settlement  — 

where  he  now  resides  is  to  me  unknown.  In  him  we  have 
a  striking  instance  of  the  necefsity  of  setting  out  in  the 
world  with  fix'd  Moral  Principles.  Whoever  calculates 
that  appearances  is  the  only  difference  between  an  honest 
man  &  a  knave  or  between  Virtue  &  Vice ;  must  in  the  end 
find  himself  egregiously  mistaken.  My  Parents  are  both 
very  well  as  are  the  members  of  my  small  family;  and 
desire  me  to  present  their  respectful  Compliments. 

I  am  Sir  with  Respect 

Your  Obedient 

&  humble 

Sery1 
Benja  I.  Gilman. 

180 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chandler  Robins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj. 
Ives  Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plym0  Jany  26  1796. 

My  dear,  very  dr  children  —  Redoubling  the  Addrefs, 
after  your  example,  does  but  exprefs  the  intimate  feel- 
ings of  my  heart  —  my  chief  concern  ought  to  be,  lest 
they  be  held  too  dear  to  or  Hearts,  &  thereby  stand  in 
competition  with  an  Object  infinitely  fuperior  to  ye  dear- 
est earthly  friend. 

We  recieved,  by  last  post,  yours,  dated  Decr  22d  (fore- 
father's day)  in  which  you  inform  us,  you  had  recieved 
mine  of  Novr  24th  —  but,  by  your  Silence  conclude  you  had 
not,  that  of  Dec1"  1st,  in  Anfwer  to  yours  of  Nov1"  1st  (wc  we 
recd  ye  26th) — but  prefume,  you  probably  might  recieve 
it  by  ye  Mail  after.  And  that  will  fupercede  the  necefsity 
of  my  answering  one  pafsage  in  your  last,  my  dear  Han- 
nah, respecting  your  proposal  of  refending  the  Bills,  if 
they  shod  arrive  before  Col.  Tallmage  left  you.  We 
doubt  not  the  proposal  arose  from  the  purest  &  most 
affectionate  motives,  but  in  ye  prefent  cafe,  our  own  feel- 
ings will  be  gratified  in  far  greater  degree,  by  your  Ac- 
ceptance than  Refufal.  I  can  never  reflect  upon  ye  Pains 
you  took,  the  hazzards  you  run,  &  the  difficulties  you  en- 
counter'd,  with  such  unbroken  and  aftonishing  Refolu- 


212  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

tion,  in  order  to  vifit  your  Parents,  without  ye  most  ten- 
der Emotions  &  oft  with  tears,  —  That  Token,  therefore 
of  our  affection,  in  return  for  yours,  is,  comparatively 
trifling,  &  don't  mention  it  again,  my  dear. 

Then  your  good  friend  Mr  Fearing  is  marryd  at  last. 
Well  I  think  he  is  wife  in  so  doing,  &  wish  him,  most  sin- 
cerely, &  his  good  Lady,  all  happinefs,  in  the  tender  con- 
nexion. It  must,  undoubtedly  be  an  addition  to  your 
happinefs  to  have  so  agreable  a  person  for  an  Neighbor 
&  Afsociate. 

Col.  Tallmadge,  it  feems,  is  yet  with  you.  It  gives  me 
pleafure  to  hear  of  his  welfare,  always  —  Am  glad  you 
have  had  ye  satisfaction  of  seeing  &  enjoying  his  com- 
pany fo  long.  Prefent  him,  renewedly,  my  affectionate 
Regards,  if  he  is  yet  there  —  Tho  I  think  it  probable  he 
will  have  fet  out  on  his  Return  before  this  reaches  you, 
by  a  word  in  your  last.  He  fhew  you  ye  letter  I  wrote 
him,  you  say,  &  circular  letter  &c,  &  you  ask  wl  my  friends 
in  England  said  about  Dr  Hopkins'  System  &c.  They,  in 
general,  approve  it  well.  All  my  Correfpondents  had 
not  had  opp°  to  read  it,  when  they  last  wrote  —  but  as  far 
as  they  had,  they  spoke  in  terms  of  approbn  —  except  a 
Remark  or  Enquiry  which  one  of  them  made,  respecting 
a  point  of  no  great  confequence  in  ye  System  —  viz 
whither  any  just  Idea  of  a  Deity  could  ever  have  been 
obtained,  without  a  Revelation  from  God.  Mr  Hopkins 
fuppofes  it  pofsible,  &  brings  Rom.  1.20  as  a  proof.  My 
Clerical  friend  in  England,  fuppofes  differently  —  &  that 
all  true  Notions  of  a  God  originate  from  a  verbal,  tho' 
not,  at  first,  from  a  written  Revelation  &c  &c.  Mr  &  Mrs 
H.  are  exceedBly  pleasd  with  ye  Book  in  general.  They 
have  still,  great  Satisfact"  in  3  of  their  Children,  from  ye 
comfortable  hopes  of  their  having  become  new  Creatures, 
by  a  faving  Converfion  to  God.  You  would  be  much 
delighted  to  read  her  last  Letters.  But  I  cannot  be  very 
particular  in  a  letter — Mar  must  do  that — her  Journal 
you  fay  gratifies  you,  on  that  very  ace1  —  You  have  reca 
one  of  'em,  I  hope,  that  fent  by  Gen1  Wadsworth  —  And 
fhe  is  preparing  more,  for  fome  future  Opp°.  You  will, 
(by  ye  way)  let  me  know,  as  I  defired  you  in  my  last,  in 
what  way  we  can  send,  &  to  whom,  in  Pliilada,  any  heavier 


a 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  213 

Things  than  Letters,  if  we  shod  have  Occafion  —  &  to 
Isaac  too  —  as  he  freq'ly  reminds  us  of  his  little  blue  box 
here  &c.  I  intend  writing  again,  next  post  day,  to  Gen1 
Wadswth  in  Phil%  to  know  whither  ye  bundle  we  fent  is 
yet  with  him,  or  gone  on  to  You.  Should  really  be  forry 
if  that  shod,  by  any  means,  fail  in  its  rout  over  ye  Moun- 
tains. You  will  alfo,  doubtlefs  let  us  know  ab1  it  —  & 
Remember,  Han. ;  as  I  once  before  hinted,  always  to  write 
me  ye  Dates  of  those  y°  recd  fr.  me,  &  of  thofe  you  fend  — 
&  I  '11  do  ye  same  —  by  which  we  can  always  know  whither 
any  and  which,  if  any,  of  our  letters  miscarry.  I  observe 
you  are  pretty  good  &  punctual  in  attending  to  a  former 
Agreement  to  write  once  in  ab*  a  Month  or  6  weeks.  You 
faild  once  this  fall,  but  then  I  prefumd  it  was  becaufe  you 
knew  Co1  Tallmadge  wrote  me  just  at  the  time  you  w 
have  wrote,  &  told  us  all  ab4  you  &  yours,  &  Isaac  —  with 
all  whom  he  said  he  din'd  that  day,  &  wr  well. 

Why!  that  sweet  Jose  —  to  thank  Grandpar's  Profile 
for  his  new  Skirt.  I  wish  Gr.  Par  could  fee  him  at  his 
houfe,  he  would  give  him  a  Skirt  made  out  of  something 
better  than  his  old  gown  —  &  Jane  &  B.  Ives  too.  Dear, 
dear  Babes  —  It  hurts  me  almost  to  weeping,  to  hear  such 
things  of  them,  &  can't  fee'them.  Heaven  blefs  the  sweet 
Lambs  —  &  grant  we  may,  if  it  be  his  will,  see  them  in 
due  time,  in  this  World  —  &  prepare  us  &  them  with  their 
dearest  Parents,  to  meet  in  that  State  of  immortal  friend- 
fhip  where  we  fhall  never  part  any  more !  It  rejoices  us 
greatly  to  hear  Dear  Benja  is  relieved  of  his  complaint,  & 
that  you  are  in  Peace,  &  deliver3  from  ye  fears  of  ye  En- 
emy &  your  Country  increafing  in  Population  &  Improv- 
ments. 

The  Sicknefs,  Canker-Rash,  still  continues  here, — 
numbers  have  dya  —  hope  it  abates,  however  —  Our  fam- 
ily, thro  ye  disting5  Mercy  of  God  are  well  —  while  others 
are  in  Sicknefs  &  Sorrow.  I  believe  I  wrote  you  in  my 
last,  (didn't  I?)  of  ye  mellanch'y  sudden  Death  of  young 
Ichd  Shaws  Wife,  had  ye  Epidemic  Disorder,  when  fhe 
lay  in,  &  dyd  of  it.  poor  Cap1  [illegible]  dead  too, 
coming  from  W.  Inds  —  &  fince  him  Cap1  Bill  Sherman 
both  buryd  at  Martha's  Vineyd  —  Had  a  letter  from 
Chandler  last  week  he  has  reca  a  hurt,  by  lifts,  with  fome 


214  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

people,  at  a  Rock  —  Straind  his  Stomach,  &  very  unwell 
since  —  hope  to  hear  from  him;  recover*1  fr.  it.  Jenny, 
not  heard  from,  since  I  wrote  you.  Sam1  at  home,  being 
Vacation.  Peter  at  School — &  Mona  as  ufeful  &  clever 
&  mufical  as  he  ufa  to  be. 

I  thot,  Hannah,  I  had  effectually  got  rid  of  the  affair 
of  delivering  ys  pub.  Diss  at  ye  Humane  Society's  Anni- 
verfary,  by  ye  letter,  you  know,  I  wrote  last  year  —  But 
alas!  'Tother  day  recd  another  polite  Letter  fr.  ye  Secry 
inclofing  an0  unanim8  Vote  of  the  Trustees,  to  ye  fame 
purpofe  —  &  having  no  good  excufe,  as  before,  am  obligd 
to  accept.  Our  polit1  quarrels,  my  Son,  have  indeed  been 
sharp  in  Plim°  —  but  hope  near  at  an  End.  We  are,  ye 
chf  of  ye  Characf  &  Propy  here,  y*  Side  of  federalism  — 
Tho  Gen1  W.  &  2  or  3  m°  strive  hard  to  have  it  othrwife. 
All  send  Love  to  y°  &  yr  dear  Parts.    Yr  affect1  Parents 

Chr  &  J.  Robbins. 

P.  S.  Always  our  love  to  Isaac  &  let  him  know,  when 
y°  hear  from  us. 

181 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ben  j. 

Ives  Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plimouth  Decr  20th  1796. 

My  very  dear  Children,  We  are  daily  thinking  about 
you,  &  the  sweet  little  ones  with  you,  I  must  name  ym. 
Dear  Jane  Robbins — beloved  Joseph,  (among  his  breth- 
ren) sweet,  resolute  Ben  Ives  &  tender  babe  Rebecca,1 — 
four  Lovelings  —  the  constant  objects  of  parental  Sollici- 
tude,  &  Grandparental  fond  affection.  Dont  let  our 
Love,  however,  be  inordinate  —  lest  we  love  them  to 
Death.  Fading  flowerets,  remember  they  are,  &  liable  to 
be  cut  down  &  withered,  ere  the  Noon  of  life  shall  arrive. 
Such  are  all  our  terreftial  Enjoyments.  Happy,  thrice 
happy  they,  who  have  an  Interest  in  an  immortal  friend, 
who  will  never  fail  or  forsake  them. 

This  is  post  day — and  tho  I  have  not  recieved  any  line 
from  you,  since  we  wrote  last,  I  seem  as  if  I  must  not 
wait  longer  before  we  converfe  again,  this  way. 

1  Eebecea  Ivea  Gilman  was  born  September  1,  1796. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  215 

The  last  I  recd,  was  wrote  by  you,  Han,  dated  10th  Octr ; 
&  recd  ye  4th  Novr,  with  the  agreable  particulars  of  the 
kindness  of  Gods  gracious  providence  in  your  safe  deliv- 
erance, &  your  resolution,  (0  may  you  ever  keep  it)  of 
trusting,  in  future,  more  on  the  Lord,  &  lefs  on  an  Arm 
of  flesh.    We  had  recd  just  before  that,  a  Line  from  Benj" 
announcing  yl  happy  Event,  dated  Sepr  4th    These  are  y* 
last  from  you.     Except  that  we  have  the  prefumptive 
Evidence  that  you  are  all  well,  by  a  Letter,  or  2,  Mr 
Prince  has  recd  from  you,  wth  Cash  &c.     (You  fee,  I  am 
always  particular,  in  the  Chronology  of  dates  of  letters. 
Tis  best  — I  wish  always  ye  fame  from  you.)     Since  I 
have  written  to  you,  as  follows  — Novr  8  pr  post,  in  Anfwr 
to  yours  of  Sepr  &  Oct1",  I  mention3  in  this  a  Request  of 
Mr  Woodbridge,  quondam  Preceptor,  abl  Rights  of  Land. 
Tell  if  you  recd  it.     Next,  wrote  Novr  11,  or  thereabouts 
sent  by  Gen1  Wadsworth  to  Congrefs,  he  took  it  at  Bos- 
ton—  This  contained  your  Mar's  Journal  &c.    Let  us 
hear  y°  recd  this.     Next,  Novr  26  — to  go  by  one  Tupper, 
(Son  to  late  Gen1  T)  who,  I  heard  was  with  his  Sister  at 
Eafton,  near  Bridgwater,  &  going  on,  sometime  this  win- 
ter, to  Ohio  — This,  rather  a  Random  letter,  but  it  cost 
nothing,  &  his  bror  in  Law  askd  me  to  write  by  him. 
These  are  all,  of  late  dates.    Wrote  to  Isaac,  Novr  22d,  in 
anfwr  to  one  recd  from  him.    We  felt  exceedgly  disapptd 
in  his  not  returning  with  Mr  Prince,  but  since  recieving 
his  last,  feel  fatisfyd.  —  Providence  orders  all  Events,  & 
therefore  they  must  be  for  ye  best.    We  hope  &  trust  our 
dear  Children  are  in  the  Situation  &  Circumftances  God 
would  have  them  to  be,  &  defire  to  commit  &  reft  them  & 
all  their  Interefts  &  Concerns  in  his  hands.    We  wrote 
you,  fometime  ago,  it  had  been  forneth5  fickly  here,  in  ye 
summer  &  fall  &  of  ye  Death  of  Mrs  Le  Baron,  (Sally)  & 
Esqr  Cromwell  &c.     It  has  been  fince  that  time,  more 
healthy  — Much  as  usual  with  us.     But  I  was,  just  now 
calld  to  Bille  Le  Baron,  to  see  poor  young  Sally,  who  lies 
very  dangerously  fick  of  ye  fame  fever,  her  Mar  dy4 
with  —  has  fome  alarming  Symptoms  —  I  fear,  but  ftill 
there  is  grounds  for  hope  she  may  recover  —  Poor  Man, 
her  father  is  quite  borne  down  with  it,  &  ye  poor,  thotlef s 
Sisters,  seem  much  affrighted  —  being  unufed,  till  lately, 


216  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

to  Trouble,  &  more  unufed,  I  fear,  to  serious  Reflections, 
or  to  imagine  in  reallity  that  they  must  ever  die.  Wish 
it  may  be  an  abiding  and  ufeful  Lef son  to  ym  all. 

I  have  had  more  indispofition,  of  late,  from  my  old 
Coinpl1,  than  common  —  Papltn  —  extreme  Indigestion, 
Debility  &  faintnefs,  at  times.  So  yc  it  fatigues  me  ex- 
ceedingly to  preach,  at  times  —  almost  discourages  me. 
But,  thro  the  mercy  of  God,  I  now,  feel  better  than  I  have 
done.  I  keep  ab1,  much  as  usual,  but  still  have  those  try- 
ing Complaints.  Wish  to  be  prepared  for  all  God's  Will. 
The  rest  of  our  family,  are  as  ufual,  thro  divine  good- 
ness. So  are  your  Br°  &  Sister,  by  last  Accts,  in  letters 
lately  reca  from  them. 

It  is  now  here,  all  dreary  Winter  —  Snow,  &  vast  deal 
of  Ice  on  ye  Ground  —  all  lockd  up.  You,  I  prefume,  have 
it  very  differently  with  you.  But  in  ye  midst  of  all,  hope 
you  enjoy  health,  &  the  blef sings  of  providence  in  suffi- 
cient Competency  —  which,  if  you  have  alfo,  grateful 
hearts,  is  enough.  Your  Br°  Sam1  P.  has  leave  of  ab- 
fence  from  College  to  keep  a  School,  8  weeks,  this  Winter 
&  begun  Yesterday,  at  Easton,  24  miles  from  this.  Ex- 
pect him  on  New  Years  Day  (as  he  intends)  to  stay  a 
day  &  y2  &  then  goes  back.  He  is  a  very  home  boy,  you 
know,  Hannah,  &  cant  bear  to  be  long  abfent  from  his 
parents.  Dont  neglect  writing.  You  have  got  in  Ar- 
rears. Mr  Prince  is  much  better  in  health.  Well,  ye  im- 
port1 Choice  of  Prefident,  is  made,  but  not  yet  announced 
here.  It  will  be  known  ere  you  rece  this,  no  doubt.  Wifh 
it  may  prove  favorable  to  our  Constitn  —  Peace,  &  ye 
Prosperity  of  the  Union  —  which  makes  me  hope  it  will 
be  Adams.  But  ye  Lord  reigns  —  &  directs  all  ye  Affairs 
of  ye  world  in  inf1  wisdom.  Nothg  special  of  news,  y*  I 
think  of.  May  no  Seeds  of  Disunion  be  permitted  to  be 
fown,  by  foreign  or  domestic  Incendiaries  which  shall 
ever  seperate  the  Country  on  ye  Western  waters,  from 
their  Sistr  Atlantic  States,  till  ye  Millenium  shall  come, 
&  then  yre  will  be  no  Danger  of  Disunion !  All  send  Love, 
here  &  at  Aunt  Ts.  Your  evr  affect1  Parents,  Chr  &  J 
Bobbins. 

P.  S.  Seeing  a  genteel,  delicate  Dunning  Line  to  all 
Delinquents,  in  Ruf sell's  Centinel,  tother  day,  I  intended, 


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IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  217 

in  my  next  letter  to  ask  you,  Benjamin,  what  you  have 
done,  or  wish  to  have  done,  on  that  Subject  —  I  feel  ye 
more  interested,  as  I  spoke,  myself,  for  ye  Paper  for  you, 
in  Conseqce  of  your  Desire,  as  you  recollect.  You11  let 
me  know,  in  yr  next. 

182 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  G-ilman,  Philadelphia.1 

Marietta.  12th  February  1797. 
Dear  Sir, 

Permit  me  to  send  you  a  sketch  of  Fort  Harmar  as  it 
appeared  before  the  works  were  demolished,  it  was  taken 
from  the  Hill  a  little  North  of  West,  and  includes  the  set- 
tlements on  the  Virginia  Shore,  and  a  small  part  of  Mari- 
etta Point,  the  perspective  is  accurate  as  it  respects  the 
Garrison  and  Gardens  the  other  parts  were  supplied  by 
the  eye  and  are  nearly  true,  as  to  the^  shading  I  am 
sensible  there  is  not  anything  can  be  said  in  its  favor. 
It  may  afford  you  and  some  of  our  Exeter  Friends  some 
amusement,  as  it  designates  the  spot  where  your  and 
their  old  friend  and  his  family  have  weathered  out  the 
Indian  War,  and  continue  to  reside.  Our  House  is  built 
in  the  Gardens  at  the  place  marked  with  the  letter  F, 
from  whence  we  have  a  prospect  of  three  miles  down  the 
Ohio,  about  half  a  mile  up  the  River,  and  about  as  far 
up  the  Muskingum.  We  have  had  much  the  severest 
Winter  ever  known  here,  all  communication  by  water  has 
been  interupted  by  the  ice  till  the  beginning  of  this  Month, 
but  at  present  not  a  vestige  of  it  remains,  the  River  is 
as  clear  of  it  as  at  midsummer  and  the  weather  so  mild 
as  to  leave  but  a  faint  trace  in  the  mind  of  the  late  severe 
Season.  By  the  last  Mail  I  received  a  Packet  from  the 
Secretary  of  State  inclosing  a  Commission  as  Judge  of 
the  Territory  for  which  I  am  indebted  to  some  friends 
here,  and  particularly  to  you  if  I  may  judge  from  your 
former  exertions,  and  for  which  I  return  you  my  sincere 
thanks.  The  Duties  of  the  Office  are  considerable  and 
important,  no  exertions  shall  be  wanting  to  fulfil  them  in 
the  best  manner  I  am  capable.     I  see  by  the  News  Papers 

i  MS.  loaned  by  Daniel  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 


218  A  FAMILY  HISTOKY 

you  decline  be  considered  as  a  candidate  for  a  Member 
in  the  next  Congress,  I  have  flattered  myself  from  time 
to  time  of  having  been  able  to  cross  the  Mountains  and 
to  have  spent  a  Month  or  two  in  Phila  while  Congress 
were  sitting  but  have  been  hitherto  prevented.  The  In- 
dian War  has  prevented  our  making  such  improvements 
on  the  lands  as  we  wished  to,  and  indeed  the  last  Season 
is  the  only  one  since  we  have  been  here  that  we  could  ven- 
ture far  abroad.  Crops  in  general  were  very  good  and 
the  face  of  the  Country  begins  to  put  on  a  smiling  ap- 
pearance. Our  little  farm  produced  about  800  bushels 
Indian  Corn  of  a  superior  quality  150  bushels  Ry  and 
Wheat  and  Hay  sufficient  to  winter  about  50  head  of 
horned  Cattle  &c  &c.  We  are  blessed  with  all  the  neces- 
saries and  are  seldom  without  any  of  the  comforts  of 
life,  and  altho'  we  have  neither  Concerts,  Theatres  or 
Amphytheartres,  still  we  are  strangers  to  ennui ;  in  short 
we  are  contented,  judge  then  my  friend,  can  we  be  un- 
happy. Much  of  my  time  is  taken  up  in  public  business, 
my  garden  and  my  Grandchildren  of  which  I  have  a  pair 
of  each  sex  afford  sufficient  amusement  to  employ  my 
leasure  moments. 

A  Memorial  and  Petition  signed  by  the  Directors  and 
Agents  of  the  Ohio  Company  was  sent  last  Winter  from 
hence  and  presented,  I  believe,  to  the  Senate,  but  too  late 
in  the  Session  to  be  acted  upon,  praying  among  other 
matters  an  appointment  of  Agents  or  Trustees  to  take 
care  of  and  rent  out  the  lands  reserved  in  our  Patent  for 
public  uses,  The  Ministerial  and  School  Lots  belonging 
to  the  Town  of  Marietta  are  mostly  cleared  and  very 
valuable  and  would  be  immediately  productive  if  leased 
out,  the  Ministerial  Lots  includes  nearly  two  thirds  of 
the  Ground  originally  laid  out  for  the  City  and  would  pro- 
duce a  sufficient  sum  to  maintain  a  minister  hansomely 
even  the  present  year. 

I  wish  my  dear  Sir.  if  time  and  your  other  engage- 
ments will  permit  you  would  enquire  into  the  business 
give  it  your  helping  hand  thro'  Congress  the  present 
Session,  as  it  is  a  matter  of  much  importance  to  the 
people  of  this  Town. 

Be  pleased  on  your  return  home  to  present  my  most 
affectionate  Compliments  to  your  Brothers  and  Sisters 


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IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  219 

and  in  general  to  all  Friends,  I  earnestly  wish  to  visit 
them,  but  when  or  whether  ever  I  shall  be  blest  with  an 
opportunity  is  at  present  uncertain.  I  expect  to  be 
called  on  soon  to  make  the  Tour  of  the  Western  and 
Northern  Counties,  which  will  take  up  a  great  part  of 
summer  if  not  the  whole.  My  family  Join  their  best 
wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness  with  Dr  Sir 

Your  friend  and 
P.S.  The  Sketch  inclosed  is  so       very  humble  Servant 
defaced  I  am  almost  ashamed  Joseph  Gilman 

to  send  it,  it  was  the  work  of  some  leasure  moments  when 
unwell  last  Winter  purely  for  my  own  amusement  &  to 
preserve  the  Old  Fort  from  oblivion. 

183 
Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman, 
Marietta,  Ohio.1 

A  D  1797    June 

retire  to  private  lodgings,  away  from  Confusion  and 
Company,  I  could  account  for  his  illnefs.  He  exerted 
himself,  spoke  very  loud,  and  it  was  a  cool  day,  the  house 
all  open,  and  the  air  struck  on  his  back  and  head  all  the 
time  — which  obstructed  perspiration  suddenly;  and  he 
had  as  sick  a  night  as  ever  I  knew  him,  I  put  his  feet  into 
warm  water,  and  put  poultices  on,  he  was  very  reftlefs 
all  night  and  burnt  like  fire  — and  in  extreem  pain  in 
his  head,  and  back.  0 !  Hannah  what  a  def tref s  'd  night  I 
had,  I  realy  thought  he  was  taken  with  a  fever  — away 
from  home  —  among  strangers  —  towards  morning  he 
sweat  very  profusely,  next  morning  hardly  able  to  lift 
his  head  from  the  pillow  — but  very  desirous  if  pof sable 
to  ride  towards  home ;  as  he  was  sure  it  would  not  go  off 
without  a  settled  fever  — I  fear'd  so  myfelf,  but  tryed  to 
keep  up  his  spirits,  he  rode  with  my  driving  very  slow, 
and  carefull  2  or  3  miles,  and  then  stop  and  lay  down, 
and  we  rode  in  the  course  of  the  day  15  miles,  till  we  got 
to  Mallbro'  He  could  go  no  further  nor  set  in  the 
Chaise  — he  lay  down  a  little  while  — felt  sick  at  his 
stomach  puk'd  several  times,  which  was  very  beneficial  — 

i  Beginning  and  end  lost. 


220  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

had  a  better  night  next  day  got  to  aunt  Bethunes'.  0! 
how  Thankfull  I  felt  to  get  in  sight  of  that  house,  it  was 
so  much  better  than  I  had  reason  to  fear  when  I  set  out. 
Their  we  had  eviy  attention  paid  that  was  pofsable  for 
friendship  to  dictate,  we  stay'd  till  Monday,  rode  into 
Boston  —  Par  feels  better  but  weak,  and  has  a  bad 
cough  — 

Wednesday  11th  June,  rode  home — you  don't  wonder 
I  was  so  glad  to  get  home,  do  you  Hannah? 
June  16  While  we  ware  at  dinner  today,  some  body 
open'd  the  fronnt  door  and  walk'd  thro  the  entrey  into 
the  kitchen,  who  can  that  be  said  I"?  Peter  answered 
"tis  Sam1  it  comes  in  just  like  him"  we  ware  not  long 
in  suspence,  how  was  we  supprized  to  see  my  dear  Chan- 
dler—  and  to  see  him  look  well  —  come  in  (from  Hallo- 
well)  in  a  vefsel  that  he  freighted  with  Lumber,  is  to 
make  us  a  visit  of  a  week  —  that  is  long  for  him  —  your 
Par's  Cough  very  bad  yet.  we  can  get  nothing  to  re- 
move it  —  he  is  better  of  other  complaints  —  we  fear,  his 
disorders  are  fix'd  on  his  Lungs  —  he  lofses  flesh  —  we 
feel  anxious  about  him,  We  want  better  blefsings  than 
health,  or  ease  —  a  chearfull  acquiefence  in  the  will  of 
him  who  doth  all  things  well. 

19  June,    din'd  at  Coll  Watsons,  with  our  dear  son,  Mr 
Brimmer  &  wife,  Mrs  Burr,  agreable  visit. 
20th     din'd  at  Dr  Thachers  with  Chandler,  he  has  not 
been  at  home  to  dine  but  one  day,  I  tell  him  to  refuse  if 
he  is  ask'd  again  —  I  so  seldom  see  my  Children,  I  want 
them  all  the  time  to  myfelf  —  23d    My  dear  son  gone  in 
the  stage  to  Boston,  on  his  return  home  today. 
29.     This  day  my  last  bird  is  flown,  Par  has  carried 
Peter  to  Bridgwater  to  study  with  Mr  Sanger  till  com- 
mencement.    Par,  Mar,  and  our  dear  faithful  Philemon 
now  constitute  the   Parlour,  and  Lydia  Churchill  and 
Anna  the  kitchen,  she  cannot  be  contented  at  home  —  and 
I  have  invited  her  to  stay  here  the  summer  or  as  long  as 
she  pleases,  as  a  compensation  for  her  fidelity  in  our  fam- 
ily in  years  past  —  not  for  the  benefit  of  her  conversa- 
sion.     you  can't  think  how  I  mifs  Peter. 
30th    Mifs  Scollay  came  here  to  day  to  spend  a  fortnight 
on  a  visit,  I  was  realy  glad  to  see  her. 
July  4    Concert  for  prayer,  a  very  large  congregation; 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  221 

Par  preach 'd  from  Numbers  10,29.  "The  Lord  hath 
spoken  good  concerning  Israel."  after  sermon,  read 
some  extracts  from  letters,  he  received  from  England, 
accounts  of  the  Mifsionarys  sent  to  the  South  Sea  Is- 
lands, as  I  often  wish  my  children  to  see  those  beautyfull 
letters,  I  shall  coppy,  what  your  Par  read  in  public  —  on 
the  whole  my  dear  Children  I  will  give  you  all  the  letter. 

Birmingham  March  7th  —  97 
Revd  and  dear  Sir, 

Upon  reviewing  your  letter  of  Oct  7  —  96  I  feel  regret 
that  I  should  suffer  so  long  an  interval  as  twelve  months 
to  elapse  without  sending  a  line  to  so  kind  a  correspond- 
ent, this  I  did  intend  to  do  last  fall  when  I  spent  six  weeks 
at  Plymouth  —  but  could  find  no  ship  during  that  period 
bound  to  Boston  —  I  should  be  ashamed  to  trouble  you 
with  so  many  Queries  concerning  Dr  Hopkins's  system 
&c  did  I  not  feel  perswaded  that  your  kindnefs  and  read- 
nefs  to  communicate  would  not  even  find  a  sort  of  grat- 
ification therein.  For  which  you  are  entitled  to  my 
thanks.  Some  of  your  anfwers  have  removed  my  objec- 
tions from  the  Dr  and  others  have  confirmed  me  in  the 
opinion  that  good  men  from  different  habits  and  modes 
of  reasoning,  may  think  very  differently,  yet  very  sin- 
cerely, on  the  same  subject.  I  doubt  not  a  great  part  of 
the  felicity  of  heaven  will  reslut  from  the  clear  unob- 
structed view  we  shall  have  of  divine  truth.  Every  diffi- 
culty will  than  be  cleared  up  —  and  full  evidence  of  the 
glorious  propriety  and  consistency  of  the  Moral  Govern- 
ment of  Jehovah  will  blaze  on  evry  Mind.  Hence,  the 
perfect  union  of  the  afsembly  of  glorified  Saints.  It  will 
be  one  indivifible  —  harmonious  —  blefsed  society  — 
without  a  discordant  Word  or  Idea!  My  soul  longs  for 
that  perfection!  and  I  would  say  with  the  Psalmist 
"Then  shall  I  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  with  thy  like- 
nef s !  But  while  this  happinef s  is  withheld,  0 !  for  grace, 
to  supply  in  brotherly  affection  what  is  deficient  in  un- 
derstanding. 

I  would  not  forget  to  tell  you  what  little  evangelical 
Intelligence  I  have  to  communicate.  The  Mifsionary  Soci- 
ety have  compleated  their  first  Mifsion,  To  the  South  Sea 
Hands.  In  a  few  months  the  subscription  for  the  pur- 
pose amounted  to  Thirteen  Thousand  Pounds ;  a  striking 


222  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

proof  that  the  hearts  of  all  men  are  in  the  hands  of  the 
Lord.  The  silver  and  the  Gold,  of  the  earth  are  his !  nor 
can  be  better  appropriated,  than  as  a  sacrifice  at  the  gos- 
pel Shrine.  Men  were  not  more  difficult  to  procure  than 
money.  Several  came  forward  and  offered  themselves  to 
embark  in  the  arduous  undertaking  of  earring  the  news 
of  salvation  by  our  precious  Emanuel  to  a  perishing 
heathen  World!  a  ship  call'd  the  Duff  was  purchased 
last  year  by  the  Society  —  and  fitted  out  —  and  stored  by 
the  voluntary  contributions  of  Benevolent  Individuals. 
The  Spirit  which  appear  'd  on  this  occaf ion  was  singular. 
a  ship-wright  employ  'd  in  fitting  the  ship  for  her  voyage, 
whose  work  could  not  be  estimated  at  lefs  than  £200  — 
made  a  formal  charge  to  the  Directors  of  the  society  of 
5  shill6  for  the  whole  businef s.  a  Gentleman  gave  a  Cable 
worth  £200  —  and  hundreds  of  private  famileys  contrib- 
uted lots  of  smaller  articles  —  such  as  Linnin  —  hard- 
ware—  Books  —  Pickels  —  and  evry  other  necefsary  and 
convenience  for  so  long  a  voyage,  a  pious  Man,  who  had 
been  a  Captn  in  the  east  India  service  Twenty  years  — 
but  had  retired  in  affluence  to  spend  his  remaining  days 
in  ease  at  home  —  was  drawn  forth  by  the  attractive  in- 
fluence of  so  noble  an  undertaking  —  but  still  more  (we 
trust)  by  the  Love  of  Christ,  to  offer  himfelf  to  conduct 
the  expedition.  His  piety  —  sensibility  and  sweetnefs  of 
disposition  endeared  him  to  the  Directors  and  Mifsion- 
aries.  His  nephew  an  agreable  Serious  young  man  ac- 
companies him  as  chief  Mate.  The  ships  crew  were  sel- 
ected from  profefsing  Christians.  The  Mifsion  consists 
of  29  men —  (not  all  of  them  preachers  but  some  intended 
to  afsist  as  mechanics  in  the  intended  Settlement.  But 
all  of  them  (as  far  as  human  understanding  can  Judge) 
partakers  of  ardent  love  to  Christ,  and  unconquerable 
desires  for  the  salvation  of  immortal  Souls)  — Five  Wo- 
men the  godly  wif es  of  some  of  them  —  and  3  infant  Chil- 
dren ;  37  Persons  in  the  whole.  These  sailed  from  Spit- 
head  on  Thursday  Sep1  22,  1796  —  and  were  bound  to 
Otaheite  —  It  is  the  intention  for  the  whole  mifsion  to 
stay  in  that  Island  three  months,  till  they  have  formed  a 
good  notion  of  their  language,  customs  &c  and  obtained 
a  peaceable  footing  among  the  Natives  —  After  which  as 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  223 

many  as  can  be  spared  —  are  to  remove  to  adjacent  Is- 
lands, of  which  the  language  is  precisely  the  same.  I 
feel  no  small  gratification  in  having  among  this  truely 
honourable  Company  — two  young  Men  — the  fruits  of 
my  Ministry  —  and  one  of  whom  continued  under  my 
care  some  time  previous  to  embarking  in  this  work.  You 
will  doubtlefs  unite  your  prayers  with  Thousands  in  this 
land  for  a  blefsing  on  this  important  undertaking!  This 
bread  of  life  is  cast  upon  the  waters  — we  need  persever- 
ing faith  —  Prayer  and  patience  to  wait  and  it  shall  be 
seen  after  many  days !  All  the  promises  and  Prophecies 
are  in  our  favour.  God  has  long  since  said  to  the  North, 
give  up,  He  will  also  say  to  the  South  keep  not  back!  — 
Great  obstacles  are  indeed  in  the  way  — and  more  than 
now  are  known  may  occur,  but  the  arm  of  the  Lord  will 
be  sufficient  to  conquer  them.  Nay  should  it  entirely  fail 
of  succefs— We  may  then  look  up  to  heaven  and  say 
"We  are  pure  of  the  blood"  of  these  South  Sea  Island- 
ers. Here  the  animated  conclufion  of  a  sermon  preached 
at  the  Second  Meeting  of  the  Society  is  worth  remember- 
ing and  preserving.  — 

"To  conclude,  0  ye  Righteous  peopel,  engaged  in 
this  work  of  a  Mif sion  to  the  South  Seas !  for  your  firm- 
est consolation  reflect,  that  you  cannot  here  play,  (if  I 
may  so  speak)  a  loosing  game.  For  nothing  can  be  lost 
should  the  gosple  not  be  received.  What  can  you  loose? 
Not  your  money ;  for  what  is  given  to  the  poor  is  lent  to 
.the  Lord;  at  whose  second  appearing  you  shall  receive 
your  own  with  usury.  What  can  you  loose?  Not  your 
prayers,  for  if  you  pronounce  your  peace,  and  the  son  of 
peace  is  not  there,  your  prayers  shall  turn  into  your  own 
bosom.  What  can  you  loose?  Not  your  care  and  trouble, 
for  in  these  your  souls  have  been  exercising  and  forming 
after  the  manner  of  the  heavenly  World :  Where  the  Sal- 
vation of  immortal  Souls  is  the  great,  univerfal,  and  per- 
petual concern.  What  can  you  loose!  only  one  thing 
more  can  occur  to  your  minds ;  and  that  is  perhaps  the 
blood  of  those  whom  you  send.  But  that  will  be  no  lofs. 
not  to  the  church,  for  it  will  be  propagated,  established, 
instructed  and  adorned  by  it!  Not  to  the  Mif sionaries ; 
for  to  them  to  die  will  be  gain ;  gain  immediate,  immence 


224  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

and  everlasting !  But  if  you  win,  what  do  you  win  1  noth- 
ing lefs  than  Eternal  Glory,  for  millions  upon  millions  in 
the  South  Seas,  till  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  God!" 

I  beg  pardon,  says  Mr  Little,  for  so  long  a  Quotation, 
several  distinct  Mifsions  are  now  preparing  for  the  vast 
continent  of  Africa.  A  Gentleman  in  Scotland  has  de- 
voted Twenty  five  thousand  Pounds  to  carry  a  Mifsion 
into  Bengal.  But  the  East  India  Company  have  refused 
permifsion  to  sittle  there.  How  natural  it  is  for  the  in- 
terests of  Time,  to  Clash  with  those  of  Eternity !  as  you 
give  us  reason  to  expect  you  shall  yet  obtain  the  Evang 
Magns  you  will  have  in  the  succefive  numbers  thereof, 
detailed  account  of  all  these  things. 

I  don't  wonder  that  appearences  with  you  are  different 
from  what  they  were  under  the  late  blef sed  revival.  The 
Period  is  not  yet  arrived  when  the  people  shall  all  be 
rightous!  and  altho'  God  may  condescend  to  afford  us 
many  blef  sed  anteparts  of  that  clay ;  they  are  rather  cal- 
culated to  encourage  our  faith,  than  gratify  our  expec- 
tation. We  are  hereby  reminded  that  God  has  not  for- 
gotten his  promise,  and  taught  to  look  forward  to  the 
complete  fullfillment  of  it. 

It  must  be  esteemed  your  honour  and  happynefs  to 
have  been  an  instrument  in  the  glorious  work  of  God  of 
late  among  you ;  and  a  partaker  of  its  blef  sings.  Noth- 
ing of  the  kind  has  yet  been  added  to  the  list  of  our  mer- 
cies. E-eligon  wares  but  a  dull  appearance  in  England. 
The  gloom  in  temporal  afairs  —  which  is  stretched  out- 
over  the  Land,  seems  to  affect  Profefsers  to  a  great  de- 
gree. Infidelity  makes  rapid  strides.  The  poison  of 
Deism  works  to  an  extraordinary  degree  among  all 
ranks,  and  remind  us  of  our  Lords  words  "When  the  Son 
of  man  cometh  shall  be  find  faith  on  earth  ?  what  a  mercy 
it  is  for  us  in  the  midst  of  all  the  confusion  —  Toils  and 
Blasphemies  of  the  Children  of  of  men  —  to  be  able  to 
lean  upon  a  covenant  God  in  Christ — I  begin  to  feel  the 
unfpeakable  value  of  his  Promises,  and  to  live  by  faith 
upon  them  —  you  will  smile  and  ask  —  Did  you  never  do 
so  before?  yes  my  dear  Sir — but  new  trials  —  makes 
this  exercise  as  new  —  as  if  it  was  the  first  time.  Look 
which  way  I  please  in  the  world  I  see  no  Consolation  un- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  225 

till  I  turn  to  the  everlasting  Promise  —  and  unchangable 
f aithfullness  of  Jehovah ! 

May  his  gracious  prefence  be  with  you 

Yours  affectionately  Robert  Little." 

I  did  not  think  the  letter  was  so  long  when  I  begun  it, 
but  I  did  not  know  where  to  stop.  We  are  informed  by 
another  corrispondant,  that  some  of  the  first  ministers  in 
London,  have  agreed  to  preach  a  Sabbath  evening  lecture 
to  the  Jews,  who  flock  in  great  numbers  to  hear,  their 
design  is  to  prove  from  their  Scriptures,  that  is  the  Old 
Testament,  that  the  prophecies  have  been  fullfilled  in 
Jesus  of  Nazareth.  How  eventfull  is  the  Period,  my 
dear  Children,  in  which  we  live.  What  revolutions  are  in 
the  earth  —  It  seems  as  if  ' '  the  time  of  the  promise  drew 
nigh"  to  favour  Zion.  When  Gods  ancient  people  the 
Jews  are  to  have  the  vail  taken  away  —  and  be  made  to 
look  on  him  whom  they  have  percied  and  mourn,  and  own 
him  as  the  true  Mef  siah,  their  Lord  and  their  king. 

184 
Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives 
Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plym0  Octr  '97,  to  Novr  '98.1 
Octr  13,  1797. 
My  dear  Benjamin  and  Hannah, 

I  sometimes  think  so  much  of  you  and  your  dear  little 
family  that  I  loose  sight  of  evry  other  object,  and  feel  as 
if  I  must  fly  to  see  you.  But  my  wings  are  soon  clip 't  by 
the  great  distance  of  700  miles,  and  the  weight  of  a  fam- 
ily, and  other  dear  absent  children  who  I  want  to  see. 
After  fluttering  from  one  part  of  the  continent  to  the 
other  from  Muskingum  to  Penobseutt,  I  rest  in  the 
thought,  (tho  I  know  not  the  designs  of  Providence  in 
thus  seperating  those  so  dear  to  me)  That  I  and  my  dear 
children  are  just  where  infinite  wisdom  has  ordered  our 
lot,  and  that  it  is  my  duty,  and  intrest  to  re  Joyce  at  all 
times  that  nothing  takes  place  under  his  government  that 
will  not  eventualy  be  for  his  glory,    if  we  are  not  wanting 

i  This  ia  probably  an  error  for  1797. 


226  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

to  ourfelves  we  may  meet  at  the  Throne  of  grace  evry 
day,  and  commend  each  other  to  divine  mercy. 

I  desire  to  acknowledge  the  goodnef  s  of  God  that  I  can 
so  often  hear  from  you  —  and  let  you  know  my  thoughts, 
and  tho  they  are  very  defultory —  and  triffling  often 
times,  they  give  you  pleasure.  I  have  sent  a  packet  for 
you  by  Mifs  Zilpha  Wadsworth  who  is  going  in  the  stage 
in  the  morning,  and  expects  to  meet  her  Par,  on  his  way 
to  Congrefs. 

I  am  prepareing  for  another  journey,  we  have  not  de- 
termin'd  where,  if  you  Par  finds  riding  beneficial  we  shall 
go  on  to  Newbury.1  I  fear  your  Par  is  not  able  to  go  so 
far  from  home.  I  never  left  home  more  anxious,  as  I 
feel  unwell  my f elf,  and  I  can't  forget  the  deftrefses  of 
our  last  journey  when  your  Par  was  so  sick.  But  I  ought 
also  to  recolect  the  mercyes  of  it  —  and  hope  the  best.  I 
must  bid  you  good  bye  for  the  present. 
Oct.  28th.  Well  my  dear  Hannah  thro  the  great  goodnef s 
of  God  we  have  got  home  safe.  Your  Par  mended  evry 
mile  —  and  I  came  home  the  invalid.  —  I  took  cold,  and 
brought  on  my  hooping  cough  with  violence.  He  was 
obliged  to  take  all  the  care  and  drive  all  the  way  home. 

We  left  home  18  instant,  rode  to  Bridgwater,  Lodged 
at  Eqr  Snells  by  desire  of  Mrs  Morey  who  was  there.  If 
she  had  been  our  Mother  she  could  not  have  received 
more  affectionately.  Next  day  to  aunt  Bethunes  to  dine. 
We  concluded  not  to  go  into  Boston,  as  Mrs  Gill  is  very 
dangerously  sick  of  a  fever  at  Princton  found  aunt 
Bethune  nicly,  I  never  saw  her  look  better,  the  family  all 
happy  in  her  recovery,  she  said  "she  expected  to  be 
well  eno  to  go  to  town,  to  attend  the  Theatre  this  winter" 
poor  improvement  of  her  regain 'd  health,  a  beautfull 
day,  got  into  the  chaife,  rode  round  thro'  Watertown, 
call'd  on  Mrs  Hunt,  she  had  in  her  armes,  the  finest  child 
I  ever  saw,  about  6  months  old,  it  look'd  more  like  wax- 
work, it  was  a  beauty.  I  don't  think  there  is  so  hand- 
some a  child,  at  Marietta.  The  first  word  after  they  had 
askd  us  how  we  did.  0 !  Cousin,  did  you  ever  expect  to 
see  Mar  so  well.  We  did  not  stay  long  as  our  object  was 
to  keep 

[Pages  2  to  17  are  missing.] 

i  About  ninety  miles. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  227 

Monday  we  rode  in  Mr  Grills  carriage,  to  Cambridge,  to 
see  our  dear  Children.    Peter  was  at  the  funeral1  Sam1 
had  a  bad  cold  and  could  not  attend  found  them  well,  rode 
to  Boston  to  dine  call'd  upon  Mrs  English  a  few  minutes, 
Nath,  Nancy  and  Mrs  Dunkin  live  together  at  Cambridge 
yet,  they  have  divided  the  household  furniture,  and  aunt 
Bethuns  Cloths,  but  the  real  estate  remains,  as  it  was, 
each  one  to  have  their  part  of  the  income. 
Saturday  31,  Bobbins,  call  us  early  in  the  morning  says, 
George  is  dying.    He  revived  a  little,  but  is  just  gone.     I 
stay'd  all  day.     He  don't  want  to  see  any  of  his  former 
acquaintance,  only  those  that  can  pray  with  him,  and  for 
him.     Elle  Holmes  came  in  to  lift  him  into  the  chair.    He 
said,  ' '  Mr  Thomson  you  have  but  a  little  while  to  live  to 
all  appearance  what  is  your  advice  to  us."    He  exerted 
himfelf ,  0 !  said  he,  not  to  live  as  I  have  done,  I  despised 
the  worship  of  God  —  I  despised  the  word  of  God,  I  de- 
spised reproof,  and  talk'd,  till  he  was  so  spent  that  he 
could  not  speak,  and  appears  to  be  filling  up  fast.    Your 
poor  aunt  is  bowed  down  under  this  affliction.  I  keep 
there  all  the  time,  except  at  meals,  and  nights  and  than, 
I  must  be  with  your  Par.  Mrs  Thomson  says,  when  he 
mifses  me  out  of  the  room,  he  says  where  is  aunt  Rob- 
bins.     He  wants  your  Par,  and  I,  there  all  the  time. 
Monday,  George  dyed,  about  6  o'clock  this  afternoon, 
just  before  he  breath 'd  his  last,  his  mother  said,  my  dear 
child,  your  just  lanching  into  Eternity,  can  you  trust  in 
Christ,  and  commit  your  departing  Spirit  into  his  hands, 
He  say'd  yes  yes.     He  had  his  senses  perfectly,  knew 
when  his  pulfe  stoped,  spoke  of  it,  call  his  Mar,  and  told 
her,  his  eyes  grew  dark,  soon  was  gone  0 !  what  an  affect- 
ing scene,    your  aunt  allmost  beside  herfelf .    it  was  with 
difficulty  we  could  get  her  out  of  the  room.     May  this 
speaking  voice  of  providence,  be  improved  by  us  all  to 
prepare  to  dye. 

We  have  had  letters  from  England,  and  Mazns  account 
of  the  voaige  of  the  Mifsion  Ship,  a  letter  from  Mr 
Little  their  is  something  so  eafy  natural  and  pious  in  his 
letters  that  I  am  much  pleased  with  them,  and  feel  a  pecu- 
liar affection  for  him,  his  picture  is  in  one  of  the  magn3 

i  We  judge  that  this  was  the  funeral  of  Aunt  Bethune,  but  owing  to  the 
missing  pages,  the  date  is  lost. 


228  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

He  look's  good.  Mr  Hutchinson  wrote  your  Par,  that  it 
was  a  very  striking  likenefs,  his  youngest  son  about  4 
years  old,  as  soon  as  they  shew  it  him,  said  tis  Little  — 
tis  Little.  Do  you  want  to  see  his  letter  Hannah,  you 
shall,  when  I  can  get  time  to  coppy  it. 
April  5  fast  day  and  as  we  have  but  one  exersise  I 
thought  I  would  coppy  the  letter. 


My  dear  Sir,  Birmingham  July  31,  1797. 

Having  an  oppertunity  by  a  gentleman  going  to  Amer- 
ica, I  caught  it,  to  be  dedicated  to  the  service  of  friend- 
ship—  friendship,  I  say,  for  what  are  the^  billows  that 
roll  between  us?  They  are  only  the  partitions  of  our 
Earthly  House,  and  our  heavenly  father  does  not  permit 
us  to  have  very  easy  accefs  to  each  others  apartments  at 
present.  But  if  we  are  locked  up  from  the  sight  of  one 
another  on  earth,  are  we  therefore  not  children  of  the 
same  Parent?  Yes  truly,  and  soon  Seas  and  Distances 
will  be  known  no  more.  We  shall  live  together  in  one 
holy,  happy,  society;  and  look  back  to  this  little  speck, 
our  former  residence  with  triumphant  Joy,  and  thank- 
f ullnef s  to  him,  who  kept  us  while  in  it,  from  being  of  it. 
I  am  thinking  now  what  a  source  of  pleasure  will  arife 
from  our  conversations  together  upon  the  dealings  of  the 
Lord  with  us  while  we  dwelt  below ;  and  our  mutual  in- 
fpections  of  each  others  labours,  and  progrefs  thro  this 
world  will  discover  to  us  much  more  of  the  infinit  wis- 
dom, and  goodnefs  of  God  in  appointing  us  our  several 
stations. 

So  I  find  by  my  dear  friend  Mrs  Hutchinson  you  have 
been  brought  allmost  within  view  of  that  World.  Such  a 
confinement  from  the  delightfull  work  of  preaching  the 
Gosple  must  have  been  in  itfelf  very  painfull.  But  it 
pleases  God  that  we  sometimes,  should  serve  him  by 
patient  endurance :  as  well  as  at  other  times  by  active 
obedience.  I  re  Joyce  that  you  are  spared,  and  I  hope 
you  are  entyrely  recovered  so  as  to  be  able  to  go  thro 
evry  accustomed  duty.  With  respect  to  myfelf  I  have 
abundant  reason  for  thankfullnefs  to  the  God  of  all 
grace  —  for  continued  health  and  strength  of  body  —  0! 
that  it  had  been  more  entirely  employed  in  his  service. — 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  229 

It  is  a  blefsing  to  be  permitted  to  do  anything  for  God. 
I  want  to  do  more  for  Mm ;  and  live  to  him  alone.  But 
alafs  I  am  a  poor  dull  creature  in  Religion,  and  scarce 
crawl  towards  heaven.  I  can  often  say  with  Paul,  "To 
will,  is  present  with  me,  but  how  to  perform  that  which  is 
good  I  find  not."  Do  you  feel  it  so  Sir!  pray  are  you 
languid,  cold,  and  unprofitable  to  yourself  in  privat?  are 
your  prayers  often  flat,  insipid,  and  lif elef s  ?  Excuse  the 
freedom  of  these  questions  —  for  tho  I  so  often  preach 
about  these  things  to  others :  I  frequently  think  — No  one 
feels  so  much  of  it  as  my f elf — In  public  exercises  in- 
deed —  my  mind  has  been  more  generally  at  liberty,  than 
ever  I  remember  heretofore,  and  altho  we  have  not  many 
instances  of  awakenings  or  conversions,  still  many  have 
been  comforted  and  built  up  in  the  faith.  I  have  seen 
some  of  the  plants  of  grace  growing  like  trees  planted 
by  rivers  of  water,  bringing  forth  their  fruite  in  season. 
But  I  pray  God  to  send  down  his  sacred  influences  more 
abundantly. 

It  has  pleased  God  in  his  wife  but  mysterious  prov- 
idence to  point  out  to  me  the  propriety  of  changing  the 
scene  of  my  labours,  after  long  and  earnestly  seeking  his 
direction,  and  taking  counsel  with  my  Brethrem  —  I  am 
about  to  remove,  and  take  charge  of  a  Church  about  40 
miles  —  Northward  of  this  Place.  0  may  it  appear  that 
this,  as  well  as  all  other  changes  that  happen  in  the 
Church,  may  further  the  cause  of  Christ  and  spread  the 
sweet  savour  of  his  name.  As  to  our  correspondence,  I 
hope  it  will  not  be  interrupted  by  this  event.  I  my  next 
I  can  tell  you  further  about  my  situation  and  how  to 

direct. 

The  thunder  of  war  still  convulses  Europ.  Evry 
Month  the  clouds  hang  darker  over  the  Land.  The  Lord 
only  knows  what  will  become  of  us  as  a  People.  I  fear 
the  Nation  is  infatuated,  and  devoted  to  Ruin.  May  the 
Lord  prevent  it,  if  it  be  his  blef sed  will ! 

The  religious  intelligence  of  our  country  reaches  you, 
in  an  authentic  form  in  the  Evangelical  Magz"  to  which 
I  refer  you.  I  must  now  bid  you  adieu  with  afsurances 
of  affection  — such  as  ought  to  reign  in  the  heart  of  a 
Christian.  Robert  Little. 

My  dear  Hannah,  I  hope  you  will  like  this  letter  I  have 


230  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

wrote  it  with  a  very  bad  pen,  but  you  are  used  to  your 
Mothers  scralls.     I  must  communicate  to  you  a  letter 
from  on  board  the  Mifsion  ship,  when  they  were  at  Eio 
de  Janerio  South  America. 
To  the  Mifsionary  Society. 
Dear  and  honoured  Brethren 

We  think  it  our  duty  to  inform  you,  we  arrived  at  this 
place  on  Saturday  12  of  November,  after  a  pafsage  of 
seven  weeks  and  one  day.    We  cannot  sufficiently  ac- 
knowledge the  great  Goodnefs  of  Almighty  God  in  the 
signal  blefsings  we  have  been  favoured  with,  since  our 
departure  from  our  dear  native  country,  and  dear  con- 
nexions therein.     We  have  not  experienced  one  day  of 
real  bad  weather  since  we  launched  upon  the  bosom  of 
the  extensive  deep :  winds  and  waves  in  the  hands  of  our 
God  have  been  propitious.    The  fiery  heat  of  the  sun,  in 
pafsing  beneath   its    directest   rays,   have   been  kindly 
checked  by  intervening  clouds  or  cooling  gails,  so  that 
we  have  crofsed  thus  far  through  the  burning  zone  with- 
out feeling  those  inconveniences  that  we  ware  naturally 
led  to  expect.    Our  visitations  of  sicknefs  have  been  par- 
tial and  transient:  few  have  been  afflicted  and  those, 
through  divine  goodnefs  soon  recovered.    The  abundant 
supply  of  evry  necef sary,  furnished  by  our  liberal  friends 
in  England  hath  not  suffered  us  to  feel  the  smallest  want. 
The  worship  of  the  most  high  God  has  been  duly  and  con- 
stantly attended  without  any  omif  sion  but  when  necef  sity 
or  prudence  made  it  warrantable,     whatever  spiritual 
tryals,  we  individually  have  suffered,  moments   of  re- 
freshments from  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  have 
more  than  compensated.    Harmony  and  concord  continue 
among  us  as  a  body  ingaged  in  one  common  cause.    We 
look  forward  to  what  remains  of  our  voiage  and  future 
operations  with  that  concern  our  peculiar  situation  de- 
mands.   Our  insufficiency  we  feel  and  where  our  strength 
lieth  we  know.    We  humbly  hope  that  the  hand  of  God 
will  continue  with  us,  by  his  spirit  to  direct  us,  by  his 
power  to  guard  us.    We  give  ourfelves  up  to  God,  thro 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  and  desire  to  lie  placid  in  his 
arms. 

Dear  Brethren,  the  whole  Body  of  Mifsionaries,  as  the 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  231 

heart  of  one  man,  present  there  Christian  love  to  the 
body  of  directory's  the  Society  and  all  true  lovers  of 
Christ  and  his  Gosple.  We  pray  an  interest  in  your  fer- 
vent prayers  for  us,  and  for  our  undertaking:  that  we 
may  aquit  ourfelves  as  men  faithfull  in  the  cause  in 
which  we  are  ingaged,  and  be  rendered  mighty  instru- 
ments in  the  hands  of  God  for  the  conversion  of  the 
heathens  of  the  South  Seas.  So  shall  iniquity  stop  its 
mouth  and  the  mighty  power  of  God  displayed  in  the  eyes 
of  the  World. 

This  letter  was  wrote  by  John  Jefferson,  Secretary  of 
the  Mifsionaries  on  board  the  Duff,  in  the  Harbour  of 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  coast  of  Brazil  South  America.  Hannah 
is  not  this  a  beautyfull  letter?  We  have  8  or  10  letters 
wrote  by  persons  on  board,  to  their  friends  in  England 
giving  a  particular  account  of  their  pafsage,  which  was 
perhaps  the  most  remarkable  one,  ever  made,  another 
short  extract  from  the  Revd  Mr  Vaughn's  letter  "only  7 
weeks  you  will  observe  have  elapsed,  between  our  weigh- 
ing at  St  Helens,  and  our  anchoring  in  this  place:  a  dis- 
tance of  five  thousand  miles,  in  the  runing  of  which  we 
have  experienced  no  trying  Gale  or  scarcely  an  opposing 
breeze,  insomuch  that  throughout  the  whole  pafsage  we 
have  neither  been  obliged  to  stay  or  wear  the  ship,  and 
the  sea  hath  not  been  at  any  time  more  agitated,  than 
that,  I  should  have  thought  myfelf  safe  on  it,  in  a  long 
boat,  glory  to  God  our  protector." 

I  am  ready  to  think  such  a  ships  crew,  were  never  on 
the  water  before.  I  must  give  you  the  Coppy  of  one  of 
the  hymns  composed  to  be  sing  on  board  the  ship  — 

Indulgent  God  once  more  we  meet, 
And  bow  as  suppliants  at  thy  feet 
Thy  special  presence  now  impart 
And  enter  evry  waiting  heart. 

II 

Thou  know'st  our  errand  at  thy  throne 
We  plead  to  have  thy  Gosple  known ; 
That  Jesus  kingdom  may  extend 
Unto  the  earth's  remotest  end. 


232  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

III. 

Into  thy  care  thou  heavenly  Friend, 
Ourselves,  our  all  we  now  commend ; 
We'r  launching  forth,  in  thy  great  Name 
Thy  matchlefs  glories  to  proclame. 

IV. 

Go  with  us  o're  the  boist'ous  deep, 
And  bid  the  rif ing  billows  sleep ; 
Protect  us  safe,  send  heavenly  gales 
To  speed  the  ship,  to  fill  the  sails. 

V. 

Our  Captain  blefs,  and  all  on  board, 
With  thy  best  blefsing  dearest  Lord 
Daily  communion  may  we  find 
With  the  a  gracious  God  and  kind. 

VI. 

May  friendship,  sacred  peace,  and  love 

To  us  abound,  from  thee  above ! 

0  let  no  bitter  fruit  be  found 

Our  souls  to  grieve,  thy  cause  to  wound ! 

VII. 

Give  us  a  proof,  0  Dove  divine ! 
The  cause,  and  all  on  board  is  thine. 
And  may  we  trace  the  pathlef  s  flood 
In  sweet  reliance  on  our  God. 

VIII. 

And  when  the  distant  shores  we  reach 
May  power  attend  the  word  we  preach 
In  southern  Islands  Churches  raise 
To  shout  our  dear  Immanuel's  praise! 

April  6  attended  the  Funeral  this  afternoon,  your  Par 
walked  with  aunt.  Philemon  with  me  —  Robbins  and 
Susey  —  than  the  Le  Baron  familys  —  and  Goodwins  as 
relations,  a  large  number  of  people  shewed  respect  to 
the  family  by  attending. 

''His  hatred  and  his  love  is  lost, 
His  envy  bury'd  in  the  dust. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  233 

I  hope  this  speaking,  this  loud  voice,  may  he  improved 
by  us  all.  so  to  live,  as  we  shall  wish  we  had,  when  we 
come  to  dye.  Bobbins  was  here  the  morning  after 
George  dyed  —  He  said  to  me  aunt,  don't  you  think 
George  dyed  a  good  man  at  last.  I  answer 'd,  I  believe 
the  word  of  God  is  true,  that  says,  the  wicked  shall  not 
live  out  half  their  days.  I  feel  consious  of  speaking, 
where  any  have  lived  so  profane,  and  impious  —  least  it 
should  incourage  others  to  go  on  in  bad  courses,  hoping 
all  will  be  well  at  last. 

13.  Betsey  Avrey  and  Eler  Holmes  married  last  even- 
ing. I  intended  to  tell  you  the  text  Par  preached  from 
the  Sabbath  after  Georges  death, ' '  Who  hath  warned  you 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come." 

We  ware  wak'd  last  night  by  a  knocking  at  the  front 
door,  I  thought  it  was  somebody  that  wanted  Par,  and  I 
knew  he  could  not  go  out  —  and  thought  I  would  not  get 
up.  But  I  found  they  would  not  go  away  —  I  went  to  the 
window,  said  who  is  their;  I  who  is  I?  was  answered, 
your  son,  will  you  open  the  door  Mar,  dear  child  yes,  and 
soon  let  in  Sam1  &  Peter,  felt  sorry  that  I  had  made  them 
stand  so  long  in  the  Cold,  don't  intend  to  do  so  again, 
to  any  body.     It  was  wrong. 

[The  end  of  this  letter  is  missing.] 

185 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj. 
Ives  Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Sabbath  Evg.  Plym0.  Jany  7th,  179— x 
My  dear  Children  — 

I  tho  't  it  might  be  f ome  recreation  of  mind,  &  afford  a 
little  satisfaction,  in  my  prefent  very  weak  &  low  State, 
to  write  a  line  to  you.  Tho'  I  can  bear  no  fatigue  at  all, 
of  mind  or  body.  I  had  pleasd  myself  with  the  hope,  that 
my  disorders  were  removing,  a  few  weeks  ago — but, 
very  imprudently,  I  exerted  myself  too  much,  by  far,  in 
my  weak  State,  about  w*  appd  a  necefsary  businefs,  & 

1  As  January  7th  was  Sunday  in  1798,  we  conclude  that  to  be  the  date 
of  this  letter. 


234  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

caught,  thereby,  a  severe  Cold,  which  bro  't  on  my  Cough, 
to  a  greater  degree,  I  think,  than  I  ever  had  it  before  —  a 
constant  irritation  at  the  upper  part  of  ye  Windpipe, 
caufes  an  almost  perpetual  violent,  spasmodic  Cough  — 
&  it  has  now,  fo  weakened  me,  I  am  scarcely  able  to  go 
about.  In  other  respects,  I  am  free  from  many  former 
Complts  —  no  pains,  except  when  I  cough  hard  —  in  my 
Side  &  fometimes  Shoulder  —  for  ye  moment  —  &  when 
done  coughing  ye  pain  is  gone  —  The  Doctrs  still  insist,  I 
have  no  kind  of  fever  —  nor  any  hectical  complts  —  But 
this  Cough  if  continued,  I  think  must  wear  me  out,  espe- 
cially as  I  have  had  it  fo  long.  How  the  Lord  will  be 
pleafed  to  deal  with  me,  I  can't  tell  —  My  great,  my  chief 
&  indeed,  my  only  defire  is  to  be  prepared  for  &  more 
entirely  refignd  to  his  will,  in  Life,  health,  sicknefs  or 
Death  —  &  next  to  myself,  that  my  dear,  dear  Children 
may  not  put  off  ye  f olm  Concern  of  their  Souls  &  prepara- 
tion for  Death,  for  any  worldly  Concern  —  but  for  their 
Salvation  Sake  seek  ye  Lord  early,  &  make  it  fure,  with- 
out Deception,  that  they  are  born  again,  &  have  a  happy 
interest  in  the  dear  Redeemer  —  Then  —  All  —  All  is  well 
for  Eternity. 

We  long  to  hear  from  you,  &  cannot  account  for  this 
long  Silence  —  Not  a  line  Dear  Daur  from  you  f ince  that 
dated  last  of  Aug81  —  received  ye  latter  end  of  Sep1"  —  & 
but  one  from  Benja —  that  with  Prince's  money,  dated 
Oct.  30.  I  &  your  Mother  have  written  you  much  oftener, 
viz  in  Oct,  Novr  &  Decr  We  lookd  ftrong  for  one  last 
Nights  mail  —  but  in  vain. 

While  we  do  live,  pray  let  us  hear  from  one  another 
as  oft  as  we  can  —  as  tis  all  ye  way  we  can  converf e. 

I  am  in  ye  Ufe  of  all  Means  that  are  tho't  best  for  my 
Disorder  —  But  fuccefs  wholly  depends  on  ye  sovn  Will  of 
a  righteous  &  holy  God,  who  can  do  me  no  wrong. 

Your  Brothers  Sam  &  Peter,  now  at  home,  tis  Vaca- 
tion, Sam1  keeps  a  School  the  winter  at  Carver.  We 
trust  Chandlr  &  Jenny  &  theirs  are  well  —  have  not  heard 
from  ym  lately. 

I  cant  write  a  long  letter  —  it  fatigues  me,  must  clofe 
by  afsuring  you,  that  in  all  Circumftances,  we  are 

Yr  affect1  Parents 

Chand1-  &  J.  Robbins. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  235 

N.  B.  Our  love  to  yr  dear  Parents.  We  have  had  no 
Meet8  today,  by  reason  of  ye  snow  storm  &  my  weaknefs. 
Your  Par,  really  had  a  very  ill  turn  But  I  hope  by  the 
time  this  reaches  you  he  will  be  better  —  I  think  tis  not 
unlikly,  have  you  received  the  packett  sent  by  Gen1  Wads- 
worth —  I  had  a  letter  from  my  dear  Brother  last  even- 
ing—  I  want  to  hear  about  the  dear  Children  —  Pen 
knife  *  and  all. 

186 
Dr.  Chandlee  Robbins  to  Rev.  Tristram  Gilman,  North 
Yarmouth,  Me. 

Plym0  June  13th  98 
Revd  &  Dr  Br° 

My  good  Neighbor  Mr  Washburn,  gives  me  an  Opporty 
just  to  fend  you  &  your  dear  family  our  love,  &  affection- 
ate Remembrance,  &  to  inform  you  I  am  in  better  health 
than  I  was  last  winter  &  fall,  the  rest  of  us,  well  as  ufual, 
thro '  ye  unmerited  goodnef  s  of  our  God. 

I  had  letters  lately  from  Ohio.  They  are  well,  but  my 
Daughter  regrets  much,  the  Abfence  of  her  Mother  Gil- 
man,  who  is  gone  from  them,  to  accompany  her  husband 
your  Brother,  on  a  long  Tour,  of  7  hundred  Miles,  as  he 
is  on  the  Circuit,  performing  the  bufinefs  of  a  Judge2  — 
goes  to  Upper  Canada  Line  —  then  to  near  ye  Mifsifip- 
pie  —  to  be  gone  fhe  fays  6  months  —  Your  Brother  being 
fo  f lender  in  Conftit",  Mrs  Gilman  couldn't  Venture  him 
alone,  &  concluded  to  go  with  him. 

Have  only  time  to  fay  Mrs  R  joins  in  Love  to  all  yours. 
Remember  us  to  Dr  Mitchell  &  all  our  Plym0  frds.  Tell 
Mr  Th.  Robbins  his  Br°  James  was  marry.  2  days  ago. 

Yr  Chr  Robbins 


i  A  pet  name  for  Benj.  Ives  Gilman,  Jr. 

2  Joseph  Gilman  's  commission  as  judge  of  the  North-West  Territory- 
was  signed  by  George  Washington  and  Timothy  Pickering,  November  7, 
1796.  The  court  sat  at  Point  Vincent,  Detroit,  Cincinnati,  and  Marietta  and 
the  judges  and  lawyers  rode  through  the  woods  on  horseback. 


236  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

187 
Dr.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Rev.  Tristram  Gilman,  North 
Yarmouth,  Me. 

Plym0  June  23d  1798. 
Revd  &  dear  Sir 

I  wrote  you  a  line,  not  long  since,  &  sent  by  my  Neigh- 
bor &  friend,  Cap1  John  Washburn  —  which  inform 'd  you 
of  our  Welfare,  &  some  things  relative  to  our  kindred  & 
friends  at  the  Ohio.  Since  that,  I  have  recieved  another, 
from  Benja,  dated  the  last  of  May  giving  us  the  pleasing 
intelligence,  of  Hannah's  being  fafely  deliver 'd  of  an- 
other Son,  3  days  before  he  wrote  it,  &  she  was  then  very 
well.  Child's  Name,  Robert  Hale.1  Their  Mother  Gil- 
man  had  providentially  &  happily  arrived  home,  a  day  or 
two  before  —  left  her  Husband  well,  fome  100  miles  be- 
low—  who  was  to  finifh  his  Circuit-Court-bufinefs,  & 
return  in  about  6  or  8  weeks,  I  think  he  said.  Thus,  my 
dear  Sir,  God  is  extending  his  Mercy  to  us  &  our  Chil- 
dren. And  as  they  increaf e,  we  must  decreafe  —  that  is, 
as  they  are  rifing  on  the  Stage,  after  us,  so  we  are  pafs- 
ing  off  &  giving  place  for  others  to  follow  after,  &  fupply 
our  places  on  the  Stage  of  Life.  God  grant  that  ours 
may  do  more  for  God,  &  ferve  him  &  their  Generation 
better  than  we  have  done  —  &  may  we,  while  we  remain, 
double  our  Diligence,  &  redeem  the  time  —  filling  up,  with 
fome  Ufefulnefs  the  few  remaining  days  that  may  be 
allotted  us  here  —  &  hereafter  see  the  Salvation  of  God 
&  rejoice  in  the  Good  of  his  chofen  forever. 

The  foregoing  Tho'ts,  remind  me  of  the  Situation  of 
another  of  my  Children  —  a  Son,  who  has,  the  last  week 
return 'd  from  College,  to  go  no  more;  but  to  take  his 
degree  at  Commencement  —  His  mind  appears  imprefsd 
with  the  Thot  of  now  entering  into  ye  wide  world  —  &  in 
what  —  where  &  how  to  employ  himfelf  —  He  has  always 
been  remarkably  steady,  f ober  &  studious  —  &  maintain*1 
a  good  Charr  while  in  College  —  &  I  am  f enfible  has  been 
the  Subject  of  many  ferious  Imprefsions — but  does  not 
view  himself  as  a  Converted  perfon — wifhes  to  be  a 
Preacher,  if  he  was  qualified  &c.     At  prefent,  thinks  it 

i  Robert  Hale  Gilman  was  born  May  25,  1798. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  237 

best,  to  take  a  School  for  a  while,  where  he  may,  at  leifure 
hours,  purine  Studies  in  Divinity  —  Have  you, a  School 
in  your  place,  that  he  could  have,  for  a  Year  or  half  a 
Year,  or  more?  I  shod  like  to  have  him  under  your 
Preaching  &  Fatherly  Patronage,  and  Direction  in  Read- 
ing &c  And  fhoa  he  get  a  School  there,  or  in  your  Vicin- 
ity—  it  seems  to  us,  we  shod  certainly  be  induced,  (hav- 
ing another,  at  Hallowel  too)  to  make  another  Visit  to 
you  &  them.  I  wish  Sir,  you  woud  enquire  a  little,  on  this 
Subject — &  write  me  a  Line  upon  it  soon,  that  I  may  re- 
cieve  it  at,  or  before  Commencem*  w°  is  18th  July.  Send 
pr  post  if  no  speedier  oppy.  My  wife  joins  in  aff1  Love  to 
all  yours,  wth  Yr  [torn]d  &  Br° 

Chandler  Robbins. 

188 

The  following  notes  were  written  when  Samuel  Prince 
Robbins  left  home,  after  graduating  from  Harvard  in 
1798,  and  began  to  teach  school  in  Connecticut.  He  then 
made  his  uncle,  Rev.  Ammi  R.  Robbins'  home  in  Nor- 
folk his  headquarters.  In  Rev.  Thomas  Robbins'  Diary, 
Vol.  I,  p.  67,  a  note  is  made  of  Samuel's  arrival,  "Oct. 
17,  1798.  .  .  Towards  night  my  parents,  brother  A. 
and  wife,  with  my  cousin  S.  P.  Robbins,  arrived  safely 
from  Plymouth."  This  visit  to  Plymouth  was  the  last 
meeting  of  the  two  brothers,  as  Dr.  Chandler  Robbins 
died  in  July  of  the  following  year. 

Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Sarah  Robbins,  Norfolk, 
Conn. 

Aunt  Robbins 's  love  to  her  dear  neice,  and  would  be 
much  obliged  to  her  to  finish  this  shirt  for  her  cousin 
Samuel  Prince,  her  aunt  will  return  the  favour  in  the 
spring,  when  she  hopes  for  the  pleasure  of  seeing  her  at 
Plymouth. 

With  interest  till  paid  as  witness  my  hand 

Jane  Robbins. 

attest  Jane  P.  Goodwin 
My  Dear  Cousin,  I  recommend  to  your  Sisterly  Affec- 


238  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

tion  my  Darling  Brother  Sam11  P.  —  if  you  will  Pay  every 
needful  attention  to  him,  you  will  confer  a  great  obliga- 
tion on  your  affectionate  Cousin         Jane  P.  Goodwin. 
P.  S.    Peter  Gilman  joins  in  his  Sister's  request. — 

189 

The  following  letter  was  begun  six  weeks  before  Dr. 
Bobbins'  death  and  must  have  lain  by  for  some  time.  Dr. 
Bobbins'  last  letter  seems  to  have  been  received  by  Mrs. 
Gilman  before  this  one.  They  are  all  placed  in  the  order 
when  they  were  written,  not  when  they  were  posted. 

Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives 
Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plymouth  May  13,  1799. 
My  dear  Children, 

You  say,  that  my  writing  once  a  month  will  not  supply 
the  place  of  a  long  epiftle — because  you  live  at  too  great 
a  distance  &  want  to  hear  me  talk  —  another  reason,  you 
love  to  hear  particulars  —  well  I  will  gratify  you  my  dear, 
Hannah,  and  tho '  I  wrote  you  last  evening  I  will  give  you 
the  particulars  of  our  journey.  Drs  in  Boston,  and  here, 
thought  nothing  would  be  so  conducive  to  your  Pars 
health  as  riding,  and  change  of  air.  I  was  of  a  different 
mind,  I  was  confident  he  never  could  bare  the  fatigue's 
of  so  long  a  journey,  you  may  judge  my  feelings,  when  I 
had  reason  to  anticipate  his  being  sick  on  the  road;  I, 
could  not  tell  where  —  I  exprefs  my  fears  only  to  your 
aunt,  she  said,  sister,  you  are  low  in  spirits,  if  you  in- 
courage  him,  he  will  go,  and  I  have  not  a  doubt  will  be 
better  evry  mile.  I  told  I  would  not  say  one  word  to  him 
but  I  could  not  help  telling  her  my  fears.  I  prepared  for 
the  journey  apparently  with  as  much  chearfullnefs  as 
ever.     But  my  heart  was  heavy  as  lead. 

We  sot  out  Monday  April  29  —  about  noon,  stop't  at 
Jacksons  rested  about  an  hour  —  got  to  Mr  Barkers  in 
good  season,  Par  thought  he  felt  better  sat  up  all  the 
evening.  Next  day  not  so  well,  about  noon  rode  9  miles 
to  Deans,  He  was  very  poorly  lay  down  an  hour  or  2, 
than  rode  on  to  Taunton,  where  your  Par  wrote  a  litter 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  239 

home,  That  he  felt  better  than  he  expected,  and  thought 
he  should  be  able  by  very  slow  movements  to  reach  the 
end  of  his  journey.  (We  left  at  home  Samuel  and  Peter 
who  expected  to  go  to  Boston  by  water  —  Sam1  to  take  the 
stage  to  Connecticut  —  Peter  to  Cambridge,  Mrs  Thomas 
and  Anna  to  take  care  of  the  house,  and  dear  Philemon, 
we  were  advised  to  shut  up  the  house  —  Dr  Thacher  and 
Deacon  Spooner  said  they  would  be  glad  to  have  Phile- 
mon, and  would  pay  every  attention  to  him  —  it  was  very 
kind,  but  I  thought  he  would  injoy  himfelf  best  at  home 
with  anna,  and  keep  on  in  his  own  regular  track.  As 
aunt  was  going  with  us,  I  could  not  bare  the  thought  of 
turning  him  out.)  But  to  go  on  with  our  ride,  while  we 
stop'd  to  write  home,  aunt  drove  by  carelefsly,  thought 
we  had  gone  on,  This  circumstance  worred,  and  aggitated 
your  Par,  He  expected  they  would  take  a  wrong  road, 
and  it  happen 'd  to  be  our  horse  and  Chaise  to  add  to  the 
trouble,  and  we  ware  left  with  a  dull  horse,  and  a  hard 
going  Chaise,  the  forepart  of  the  day  it  was  very  pleas- 
ant, about  noon,  the  wind  got  south  east,  and  look'd  like 
rain  soon.  After  riding  8  miles  we  saw  the  Chaise  at  a 
Tavern  —  aunt  came  out,  and  took  a  very  good  school- 
ing—  I  was  glad  to  have  that  over  before  we  went  into 
the  house. 

I  took  out  my  store  baskett,  and  we  refreshed  our- 
felves,  we  rode  one  mile,  when  the  main  spring  of  our 
Chaise  broke  —  just  that  minute,  aunt  found  out  she  had 
left  her  cloke  at  the  house  where  she  last  stop 't,  0 !  dear, 
what  shall  we  do,  our  Chaise  must  be  mended — aunt 
must  send  back  for  her  clock — I  feel  as  if  I  was  in- 
senfible  to  every  thing  that  takes  place,  if  I  can  but  keep 
your  Par  calm,  but  his  disorders  are  neirvous  to  a  very 
great  degree,  and  it  is  not  pofsable.  "We  went  into  a 
house,  got  a  man  to  repair  our  Chaife.  But  poor  aunts 
carelefsnefs  could  not  be  pafs'd  over,  Par  told  her  she 
had  done  him  more  hurt  by  her  inattention  than  his  ride 
would  do  good.  Par  said  he  must  give  up  for  the  night, 
he  could  go  no  further.  He  lay  down  very  poorly  indeed, 
it  look'd  very  dreary,  only  half  a  glafsed  window  in  the 
room  where  the  bed  was,  the  people  ware  kind,  said  they 
ware  willing  to  do  all  the  could,  but  they  ware  very  poor, 


240  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

after  lie  had  taken  some  laudnuin,  and  rested,  I  proposed 
his  riding  4  miles,  where  was  a  good  house,  Willmoths, 
as  I  was  afraid  it  would  not  be  safe  for  him  to  sleep, 
their  as  there  was  evry  prospect  of  rain,  he  said  he  felt 
better  —  the  Chaise  was  mended  and  aunt  got  her  cloke, 
we  rode  the  4  miles,  got  supper  went  to  bed,  But  Par 
had  a  very  ill  night,  the  next  day  it  rained  till  noon 
than  was  good  weather.  We  went  on  to  Providence,  put 
up  at  Mrs  Marttins  she,  good  creature  was  all  attention 
but  Par  grew  worse  had  a  very  ill  night  I  got  him  some- 
thing to  take  and  lift  him  to  take  a  little  rest — after 
Breakfast  I  went  up  to  see  if  he  was  asleep.  He  said  he 
had  been  thinking  that  he  must  give  up  the  thoughts  of 
going  any  further,  thought  best  for  him  to  stay  and  rest 
a  day,  or  2,  and  let  Mrs  Thomson  &  Robbins  proceed.  He 
said  he  was  sorry  as  he  supposed  it  would  be  a  disapoint- 
ment  to  me,  I  told  him  it  was  far  otherwise  I  fear  'd  when 
he  talk'd  of  the  journey  it  would  be  too  much  for  him  in 
his  present  weak  state,  home  was  the  best  place  for  him, 
and  me,  and  he  could  take  short  rides  as  he  could  bare. 

0  my  dear  Hannah,  your  Par  fails  very  fast  —  The  Lord 
appear  for  his  help.  We  took  leave  of  your  aunt,  Thurs- 
day morning,  and  staid  at  Mrs  Marttins  till  Sabbath  day, 
your  Par  did  not  set  up  an  hour  at  a  time  while  we  ware 
there  —  and  sometimes,  I  fear  'd  he  never  would  get  home 
again,  he  is  not  able  to  drefs,  or  undrefs  himfelf,  was 
lifted  into  the  Chaise  by  2  men,  when  we  came  away, 
But  we  ware  very  anxious  to  get  home,  (we  had  wrote  at 
Providence  that  we  had  determin'd  to  return,)  Thro  the 
good  hand  of  God,  we  got  to  Mr  Barkers  Monday  night, 
it  was  fryday  before  Par  was  able  to  set  up  long  eno  to 
ride  one  mile. 

From  the  account  I  have  given  you  of  the  journey,  you 
rejoice  with  me  that  we  are  at  our  own  home,  a  mercy  I 
can  never  be  thankfull  eno  for.    Anna  is  gone  home,  and 

1  have  got  Susy,  I  must  have  somebody  that  is  steady, 
we  have  not  a  great  deal  to  do,  and  let  who  will  be  here 
I  must  do  all  that  your  Par  wants  done  for  him,  what  a 
favour  it  is,  that  I  enjoy  so  good  health,  tis  the  greatest 
temporal  blefsing;  a  circumstance  took  place  while  we 
ware  at  Providence  that  I  thought  a  little  remarkable, 
sometime  last  winter  I  took  up  a  Phil*  paper  and  read 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  241 

an  advertisement  by  a  Dr  Cadett  member  of  a  medical 
society  in  Salamanca  in  Spain  who  had  great  succef  s  in 
Confumptions — Neirvous  Complaints.  I  read  it  to  Par, 
said  what  if  we  should  go  to  Phila  in  the  spring  and  see 
this  Dr  get  cured  and  than  keep  on  to  the  Ohio,  A  Lady 
was  visiting  at  Mrs  Marttins,  when  we  got  their,  who 
upon  hearing  of  your  Pars  Complaints,  said,  she  wish'd 
he  would  send  for  Dr  Cadett,  who  had  not  only  relieved 
many  —  but,  had  cured  one,  or  2,  who  she,  was  herfelf 
acquainted  with,  after  the  Dr  had  giving  them  over  to 
dye.  Mrs  Marttin  urged  his  being  sent  for  Par  said,  he 
would  send,  and  conveirse  with  him,  he  did,  and  found 
him  a  man  of  midical  knowledge  —  and  very  much  of  a 
Gentleman.  He  said  he  had  not  a  doubt  he  could  help 
him  —  but  he  must  not  take  opiates,  it  would  not  do  with 
his  medicans.  on  the  whole  he  prepared  him  things  to 
take.  He  began,  but  soon  found,  he  sunk  fast,  as  he  had 
so  long  been  in  the  habit  of  taken  laudanum,  sent  for  the 
Dr,  who  gave  him  leave  to  take  a  little,  when  he  found  he 
could  not  do  without  it.  a  little  poison,  said  he,  will  not 
kill  you,  but  take  as  small  a  dof e  as  pofsable.  I  must  own, 
I  had  had  sanguine  expectations,  that  your  Par  would  be 
benefited  by  his  percriptions.  Several  circumstances, 
concured  to  raife  my  expectations,  We  had  plan'd  a 
journey  to  Connecticutt,  but  could  go  no  further  and 
were  obliged  to  stop  their,  We  are  often  led  in  a  way 
we  know  not,  it  is  the  subject  of  our  daily  prayers  that 
some  means  may  be  blefs'd,  and  who  knows  but  this  is 
the  means,  that  are  to  prove  effecatious.  0!  my  dear 
Hannah,  I  am  too  anxious,  I  often  think  of  the  story, 
your  aunt  Starr1  told  me  of,  that  a  minister  of  her  ac- 
quaintance who  had  2  daughters  who  dyed  in  childbed  — 
the  last  was  married,  and  in  circumstances,  as  she  drew 
near  her  time  he  observed  his  wife  very  dull  —  as  he  paf s 
thro  the  room  where  she  was  sitting,  He  said,  do  my  dear 
let  God  go  before,  and  do  you  follow  after,  it  struck  her 
mind  into  submifsion  to  the  divine  will,  her  daughter 
was  put  to  bed  well  soon  after.  That  one  sentence  is  eno 
to  silence  evry  thought  that  rifes  up  in  rebelion. 
Just  about  sunsett  last  evening  Peter  came  home  I  was 

1  Sarah,  sister  of  Dr.  Chandler  Robbins,  married  Rev.  Peter  Starr. 


242  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

supprized  to  see  him  he  had  heard  his  father  was  at  the 
point  of  death,  and  got  leave  to  come  home  —  poor  Child, 
said  he  was  afraid  to  see  any  body  when  he  got  to  the 
wharf  least  they  should  tell  him  his  par  was  not  living, 
He  says  he  can  see  Par  is  alter 'd  very  much,  but  he  is 
so  much  better  than  he  fear'd  that  his  mind  is  greatly 
relived. 

0 !  my  dear  Children,  I  see  a  worm  at  the  root  of  my 
earthly  happinefs,  0!  to  be  prepared  for  evry  event,  I 
long  all  my  dear  Children  should  know  just  the  situation 
your  Par  is  in,  that  they  may  not  be  supprized  should 
they  hear  of  his  decease  but  I  can't  write  to  them  as  I 
wish,  because  your  Par  sees  all  my  letters,  another  rea- 
son Dr  Thacher,  nor  any  body  els  thinks  him  so  danger- 
ous as  I,  if  he  is  not  releived  soon,  I  think  he  will  live  but 
a  little  while.  He  can't  bare  to  have  me  look  dull,  if  I 
do,  he  notices  it,  says  do  my  dear  be  chearfull  —  if  you 
knew  how  much  good  it  did  me,  you  would  never  be  other- 
wife. 

May  12.  I  have  written  to  Chandler,  Jenny  and  you  I 
could  not  be  easy  any  longer,  your  Dear  Par  fails  as  fast 
as  ever  I  saw  anybody,  when  I  had  done  Chandlers  let- 
ter, he  ask'd  me  to  let  him  see  it,  I  gave  it  to  him,  without 
hesetation,  he  read,  was  affected,  but  said  you  have  done 
perfectly  right,  I  am  glad  to  have  my  dear  Children  know 
the  truth,  yet  how  suprizing  it  is,  when  he  rides  out, 
people  will  tell  him,  they  are  not  discouraged  about  him, 
they  don't  doubt,  they  shall  see  him  in  the  pulpit  soon, 
I  wish  and  pray  it  may  be  so.  0 !  my  dear  Children,  I 
wish  I  could  even  hope  it  might  be  so. — 
June  16.  Your  dear  Father  very  low,  it  appears  to  me 
sometime  that  he  will  droop  away  in  his  Chair  or  Couch, 
when  Dr  Thacher  came  in  this  morning  I  knew  by  his 
look's  what  he  thought  —  he  ask'd  me  into  the  other 
room,  said  Dr  Robbins  is  sinking  fast.  I  think  it  best  to 
let  you  know  his  situation.  I  told  him  I  was  sinsible  of 
it.  0 !  my  dear  Children,  I  never  felt  such  a  day  before. 
I  thought  I  knew  how  Elisha  felt  when  the  Sons  of  the 
prophets  told  him  his  master  would  be  taken  from  him. 
He  knew  it,  but  could  not  bare  they  should  tell  of  it.     He 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  243 

chose  to  be  by  himfelf,  and  have  his  own  reflections.     I 
have  not  time  to  write,  I  can't  leave  yonr  dear  Par. — 1 

I  see  this  paper  lay  in  the  drawer  today  thought  I 
would  send  you  a  Coppy  of  a  letter  Peter  had  from  Revd 
Mr  Chaddock — he  is  Preceptor  of  an  Accademy  at  Mid- 
dlebro'.  Peter  told  me,  he  should  get  leave  of  the  gov- 
ernment of  Colledge,  to  keep  a  school  2  months  in  the 
winter,  it  would  be  a  help  to  me.    I  advised  him  to  write 

to  Mr  C k  as  he  often  gets  an  afsistant,  I  thought  I 

had  rather  have  him  under  his  Care  than  to  be  principal 
anywhere  —  Peter  wrote  him  and  received  this  answer. 
Dear  Peter, 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  recept  of  your 
polite  request  of  July  23  —  But  my  young  friend  permitt 
me  to  sympathyze  with  you  upon  the  death  of  your  late 
Revd  Father  and  the  confequent  affliction  and  deftrefs 
brought  upon  your  family.  O!  your  dear  Mother  my 
heart  bleeds  for  her,  and  her  fatherlefs  Children  —  the 
wound  is  deep  but  not  incureable  —  He  who  has  wounded 
can  heal.  The  Lord  gave  and  has  taken  away  and  let 
your  heart  blefs  his  holy  name — you  have  no  cause  to 
drop  a  tear  for  your  father  he  has  left  the  greatest  eve- 
dince  that  he  is  gone  to  the  bosom  of  his  God  and  Savour 
and  this  must  be  a  great  Consolation  to  you,  that  your 
lofs  is  his  unspeakable  gain,  and  could  you  hear  the 
sound  of  his  Celestial  voice  you  would  hear  him  say, 
Peter,  my  son,  weep  not  for  me  but  for  yourfelf,  remem- 
ber, your  Creator  while  young — walk  in  my  steps  where- 
in I  followed  Christ  —  and  you  shall  by  &  by  come  to 
your  father  in  these  blifsfull  regions  where  alHs  praise — 
consider  my  son,  how  often  I  have  prayed  with  and  for 
you  how  often  I  have  admonished  you,  of  the  importance 
of  religion.  0!  my  Son,  let  not  all  my  counsels  my 
prayers  be  lost  upon  you  —  could  you  hear  him  speak 
this  no  doubt  it  would  affect  you.  But  consider  my  dear 
young  friend,  that  tho  he  is  dead  this  is  his  language. 
I  must  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  his  grace,    he  has 

i  There  is  a  break  of  some  time  here.  The  next  letter  from  Dt.  Bobbins 
was  written  just  before  the  last  date.  Dr.  Bobbins  died  June  30,  1799,  and 
this  letter  was  not  mailed  for  several  weeks. 


244  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

stilled    hinifelf   the    father    of   the    fatherlefs    and    the 
widow's  God. 

You  request  me  to  receive  you  into  my  school  for  the 
term  of  2  months  next  winter.  I  shall  ever  feel  myfelf 
bound  by  ties  of  the  most  disintrested  friendship  to  ren- 
der you  all  the  afsistance  in  my  power  But  at  present  I 
am  unable  to  determin  what  number  I  shall  have  next 
winter,  therefore  cannot  give  you  a  positive  answer  I 
think  it  probable  I  shall  need  your  afsistance  I  expect 
to  be  at  your  house  Sept  15  by  the  divine  leave  than  I  will 
confer  with  your  mother  on  the  subject. 

I  am  your  sincere  Friend 

Calvin  Chaddock. 

190 
Dr.   Chandler  Robbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives 
Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plim0  June  9th,  1799. 
My  very  dear  Children,  for  fuch  I  feel  you  all  to  be,  efpe- 
cially,  when  Events  or  Circumftances  take  place  which 
remind  us  of  ye  Necefsity  of  a  speedy  Seperation  from 
all  Earthly  frds  &  Enjoyments  —  which  feems  at  prefent 
to  be  ye  Cafe.  Our  family,  of  Gods  Goodnef  s  &  Patience, 
are  well  as  ufual,  excepts  myself.  But  I  can  fay  but  very 
little,  as  to  any  real  Amendments  in  that. 

I  continue  in  a  State  of  strange  inexprefsible  weaknefs. 
I  have  been  taks  every  thing  prescribd,  as  likely  to  be 
beneficial,  but  a  holy  God  fees  beft  to  deny,  as  yet,  his 
Blefsing  to  ye  Means.  I  continue  to  be  free  from  all 
Pains;  none  in  my  Side  —  Shoulder  —  Lungs  —  breast  — 
Head  or  any  wr  elfe.  No  fever,  as  the  Doctrs  fay,  nor 
Symtms  of  Confumpt".  And  yet  emaciated  to  ye  moft 
aftong  degree  —  Noths  but  Skin  &  Bones,  as  we  fay.  I 
cant  continue  long — fo.  The  Lord  God  of  Power  & 
Grace,  prepare  me  for  his  holy,  fovereign  right8  Will  in 
every  Event!  0  my  dear,  dear  Children,  dont  banifh 
Death  &  Eternal  Realities  from  your  Minds  —  I  pray  you 
be  reconciled  to  God  —  &  fecure  your  beft  yr  Everls  In- 
tereft  before  it  is  too  late.     I  am  too  weak  to  write  more. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  245 

I  wanted  &  your  Mar  too,  I  shod  write  to  you  by  this  next 
Mail,  going  off  tomorrow  —  So  must  commend  you  to  the 
Blefsing  of  God,  in  time  &  Eternity  —  I  leave  fo  much 
Room,  yl  I  believe  Mar  will  make  an  Appendix,  as  I 
commonly  do  to  hers  —  &  she11  make  fuch  other  remarks 
&  obfervations  as  will  be  entertain5  &  ufefull  for  you  — 
We  often  hear  from  our  other  Children,  Let  us  hear  from 
you  often.     Love  to  all. 

Your  most  affec1  Father 

Chr  Robbins. 
We  had  a  letter  from  Chandler  last  evening.  He  tells 
us,  he  received  one  from  you,  you  say  you  want  to  know 
the  truth  of  your  dear  fathers  indisposicion.  I  have  a 
great  opinion  of  Dr  Thacher's  judgment.  He  calls  your 
Pars  Disorders,  a  general  debility  and  so  do  other  Drs.  I 
must  say,  I  think  he  will  live  but  a  little  while,  unlefs  he 
can  find  relief.  Dr  Thacher  says  he  hopes  he  will  get  to 
his  old  station  soon.  0 !  my  Dear  Children,  I  want  to 
have  my  will  swallow 'd  up  in  the  will  of  God,  to  say  from 
my  heart  "it  is  the  Lord  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him 
good."  I  wish  your  Par  had  strength  to  write  to  our 
dear  Isaac,  hope  he  will  — do  send  this  letter  to  him  — 
my  fears  that  your  Par  would  never  recover  have  been 
great  3  months  paft,  but  I  was  afraid  to  exprefs  them  so 
fully  to  my  Children,  because  he  always  read  what  I 
wrote  —  and  is  subject  to  great  depref sion  of  spirits,  and 
watches  evry  look  —  and  word  from  me  —  last  week  I 
wrote  to  Chandler  — and  Jenny  —  just  what  I  have  to 
you  now,  he  ask'd  to  see  the  letter.  I  handed  it  to  him 
he  say'd  tis  all  right,  don't  deceive  yourfelf  — nor  the 
Children,  I  wish  you  to  send  this  to  Isaac,  I  will  write  him 
soon  but  all  my  attention  is  taken  up  with  your  Par,  he 
sleeps  up  Stairs  in  the  Chamber  you  was  confined  in,  I 
in  the  Kitchen  Chamber,  he  gets  down  evry  day,  and  lays 
on  the  Couch,  rides  evry  day  when  the  weather  is  good. 
Aunt  got  home  last  Fryday,  is  here  for  the  present,  I 
have  begun  to  gratify  you  in  the  old  way  as  I  can  get 
time,  farewell  dear  Children  the  Lord  prepare  you  for 
every  event. 


246  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

191 

Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman, 
Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plym0  Sept:         1799. 
My  dear  Child, 

Last  Saturdays  mail  I  received  a  letter  from  you,  Au- 
gust 8th,  I  wish  to  give  you  my  dear  Hannah,  that  consola- 
tion your  afflicted  circomstances  calls  for,  you  have  in- 
deed, lost  a  tender  Parent,  the  temporal,  and  spiritual 
interests  of  all  his  dear  Children  lay  near  his  heart,  and 
he  commended  them  all  to  God  with  his  latest  breath. 
This  severe  stroke,  must  awake  evry  power  of  the  soul 
to  contemplate  the  perfections  of  God.  his  ways  are  in- 
fcrutable  —  But  perfect,  such  indeed  was  his  age,  that 
we  were  ready  to  believe  had  it  been  the  will  of  heaven 
he  might  still,  for  years  to  come  been  greatly  usefull,  But 
Gods  time  is  the  best,  such  events  as  these,  are  among 
those  mystries  of  providence,  which  are  above  human 
investigation.  The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower 
where  [torn]  may  run,  and  be  safe.  When  I  fix  my 
eyes  upon  [torn]  I  am  enveloped  with  clouds,  and 
darknefs  But  when  I  raife  them  above  I  see  Righteous- 
nef  s  and  judgment  the  habitation  of  his  throne,  why  than 
should  flesh  and  heart  fail  under  Gods  correcting  hand 
when  we  may  make  him  our  father  and  friend  forever 
May  this  be  my  portion ;  and  the  portion  of  all  my  dear 
Children.  If  God  is  our  Father,  we  need  not  fear  to  fol- 
low where  he  leads,  tho  it  be  in  the  way  of  sore  bereve- 
ments,  they  will  be  fatherly  chastisement,  callculated  to 
promote  our  best  intrest  and  his  own  glory.  You  say 
you  are  willing  to  be  afflicted,  because  your  dear  Father 
is  happy.  Yes  my  dear  Child,  I  have  not  a  doubt,  He 
and  numbers  of  his  Church,  who  went  before,  are  now 
worshiping,  in  sinlef s  perfection  where  ' '  they  shall  go  no 
more  out"  If  we  are  indeed  followers  of  those  who  thro 
faith  and  patience  are  inheriting  the  promises,  it  will  not 
be  long  before  we  shall,  thro  boundlefs  mercy  in  Christ 
Jesus  be  admited,  to  join  all  the  nations  of  the  redeemed, 
where  the  mystries  of  providence  and  and  grace  shall  be 
unfolded,  to  our  unspeakable  joy  forever  and  ever. 

The  last  time  your  dear  Father  preach 'd  was  April  7, 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  247 

text  Colofsians  3  chap  14  verse,  and  above  all  these  things 
&c.  He  wrote  in  his  almanack,  preach  'd  all  day  thro 
extreem  weakness  of  body,  but  great  freedom,  it  was 
indeed  a  very  affecting  time  I  never  expected  he  would 
preach  again.  As  his  Subject  was  upon  love  or  Charity 
in  the  afternoon,  he  spoke  of  the  Harmony  that  had  sub- 
sisted between  him  and  this  people  near  40  years.  0 !  it 
was  too  affecting.  Many  felt  as  the  Galatians  did,  when 
Paul  bore  them  record,  that  if  it  had  been  pofsable,  they 
would  have  plucked  out  their  own  eyes,  and  given  them  to 
him.  But  none  can  redeem  a  Brother  or  give  to  God  a 
ransom.  I  have  often  thought  of  a  beautyfull  pafsage 
in  Dr  Newtons  works,  speaking  of  the  death  of  his  neice, 
who  he  had  adopted  as  a  Child.  He  says,  But  what  can 
the  most  efficacious  mediciens,  or  the  best  physicians 
avail  to  prolong  life,  when  the  hour  approaches,  in  which 
the  prayer  of  the  great  intercefsor  must  be  accom- 
plished. "Father  I  will  that  they  whom  thou  hast  given 
me  be  with  me  where  I  am  to  behold  my  glory. 

You  ask  who  ware  the  Bareres,  Revd  Mr  Holand  —  Reva 
Mr  Shaw  (Mashfeild)  Revd  Mr  Everett  — Rev41  Mr  Niles  — 
Revd  Mr  Sangar  — Revd  Mr  John  Read.  Revd  Mr  Le 
Baron  walk'd  with  me,  Philemon  &  Peter,  aunt  and  Rob- 
bins.  The  Lothrop  LeBaron,  and  Goodwin  families  as 
mourners,  when  I  send  the  funeral  Sermon,  I  will  send 
you  an  arrangment  that  was  drawn  by  a  Commit  of  the 
Parish  for  the  funeral  procefsion.  tis  said  there  was  the 
greatest  number  of  People  that  ware  ever  collected  in 
this  town  on  any  occafion  before,  and  a  perfect  sohnem 
silence.  (Mr  Barker  was  absent,  gone  to  Connecticut ) 
7  ministers  besides  Bareres,  walk'd  in  the  procefsion, 
evry  mark  of  respect  was  shown  by  the  people  —  never 
was  a  minister  who  lived  more  in  the  affections  of  his 
people  than  your  dear  Father. 

0 !  my  dear  Children,  when  I  followed  the  dear  remains 
into  the  meeting  house  it  was  the  "high  water  mark  of 
my  sorrow."  allmost  insupportable,  where  in  the  course 
of  allmost  38  years  we  had  gone  together,  I  never  went 
before  —  or  after  him  to  meeting  —  after  meeting  was 
done  the  dear  remains,  pafs'd  the  house  never  more  to 
enter,  went  round  Colt  Hill,  —  up  Coll  Watsons  Street  as 


248  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

far  as  Capt.  Mathews  to  turn.     I  desire  to  offer  a  tribute 
of  Praise  to  God  who  supported  me  thro  such  a  scene  of 
Sorrow.     When  I  got  home,  I  went  into  my  Chamber, 
Philemon  followed  me,  said  Mar,  I  love  you,  don't  go 
away,  tears  comes  in  my  eyes  — I  will  be  a  good  boy  — 
and  do  evry  thing  you  bid  me.  dear  Child,  was  giving  me 
all  the  consolation  in  his  power.    He  appear 'd  to  be  very 
much  struck  when  his  father  dyed,  did  not  sing  as  usual 
but  went  on  taken  care  of  the  horse  and  cow,  very  silent. 
A  few  days  before  your  dear  father  died,  He  said  I  want 
you  should  get  well  Par  to  preach.     Par  said  may  be  I 
shall  die  —  what  will  you  do  —  you  won't  have  no  father. 
He  answer 'd,  well  if  you  die,  you  will  go  to  heaven,  and 
when  I  die,  I  shall  see  you  there.  — Your  Par  was  very 
anxious  to  see  Chandler;  he  had  wrote  when  the  Court 
was  over  at  Hallowell  he  would  come,  evry  time  the  Door 
open'd  he  would  say,  is  that  my  dear  Chandler,  the  Court 
held  a  fortnight.     He  did  not  get  here  till  Saturday  of 
the  same  week  he  dyed,  my  first  intervew  with  him  was 
almost  too  much  for  me,  I  was  very  near  fainting.    He 
staid  a  week  asisting  me  in  painfull  but  necefsary  buis- 
nefs.     He  said  he  would  write  Mr  Gilman,  I  shall  send 
him  a  Coppy  of  the  Will  when  Mr  Read  goes  on  to  Con- 
grefs.     [It  was]  made  some  years  ago  I  never  saw  it  till 
after  his  death.     He  told  me  he  had  made  me  steward, 
for  his  dear  Children.     I  know,  "it  is  required  of  stew- 
ards that  they  be  found  faithfull."    He  also  told  me  I 
should  have  many  debts  to  pay  that  I  knew  nothing  about, 
that  I  should  be  put  to  difficulty  to  support  Peter  at  Col- 
ledge  but  after  that  He  hop'd  I  might  live  comfortable. 
It  was  a  subject  I  could  not  talk  with  him  upon  — it  was 
too  affecting  — The  Bareres  preach  for  the  benefit  of  the 
family,  and  a  number  of  the  afsociation,  in  consideration, 
that  I  have  2  sons  whose  Education  is  not  compleated 
kindly  offered  to  supply  the  pulpit  to  the  first  Sabbath  in 
October,  upon  which  the  Parish  had  a  meeting  voted  to 
continue  the  Sallery  for  my  benefit  to  that  time,  after 
which  they  will  provide  a  Candidate,  after  the  Bareres, 
Mr  LeBaron  —  Mr  Cobb  — Mr  Gurney  — Mr  Barker  — Mr 
Chaddock  —  Mr  Wm  Read  — Mr  Androfs   and  I   expect 
Uncle  Cary  1  Sabbath  in  Oct:  — Surely  goodnefs  and 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  249 

mercy  follow  me.  —  I  can't  do  as  I  used  to  when  writing 
to  you  take  another  Sheet,  my  love  to  your  dear  Par- 
ents—  and  my  dear  son  Benj.  I  love  to  have  him  take 
your  pen  and  say  a  word  to  me.  I  shall  do  as  your  dear 
father  used  to  write  once  a  month  as  long  as  I  have  my 
health  —  Love  to  the  dear  Children  from  your  affection- 
ate mother  Jane  Bobbins. 
Ask  me  any  questions  you  wish. 

I  have  had  a  letter  from  Isaac,  he  talks  of  coming  this 
fall,  I  dare  not  make  dependance  on  any  thing.  Jenny 
expects  to  be  confin'd  soon  I  believe,  I  have  not  heard 
from  her  since  her  fathers  death. 

Mifs  Molly  Cobb  dyed  a  few  weeks  ago  of  a  Cancer. 
My  dear  son  Sam1  Prince  went  to  Hallowell  to  see  his 
brother.  He  came  home  very  unexpectedly  July  19.  I 
had  lain  down  —  Susy  wak'd  me  said  in  her  soft  way 
don't  be  surprized  —  you  have  another  dear  Child  come 
home  —  He  was  so  much  overcome  that  I  was  obliged  to 
supprefs  my  own  feelings  to  comfort  him  —  He  has  been 
a  great  Comfort  to  me  in  my  lonesome  state,  he  expects 
soon  to  return  to  Connecticutt. 

A  list  of  the  bearers  and  other  ministers  who  preached 
for  the  benefit  of  the  family,  enclosed  in  a  letter. 

Wednesday  July  3  Mr  Sanger  Philipians  1th  Chap  21. 
' '  For  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain. ' ' 
Sabbath  July  7.  Mr  Everett.  1th  Epistle  of  Peter  4 
Chap  18.  "And  if  the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved, 
Where  shall  the  ungodly  and  sinner  apear." 
Sabbath  July  14  Mr  Shaw  A  M.  Job :  14  Chap  1  verse. 
' '  Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days  and  full  of 
trouble."    P  M.    Sermon  printed. 

Sabbath  July  21  Mr  Howland.  John  14  Chap  19  ver, 
A  M.  "because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also."  P  M.  He- 
brews 11  Chap  16  "But  now  they  desire  a  better  Coun- 
trey  that  is  as  heavenly :  wherefore  God  is  not  ashamed 
to  be  called  their  God :  for  he  hath  prepared  for  them  a 
City. ' ' 

Sabbath  July  28  Mr  Sangar  A  M  Luke  24  Chap :  24  and 
to  the  33  vers.    P  M.    "  Many  are  the  afflictions ' '  &c. 


250  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Sabbath  August  4  Mr  Read  2  Timothy  4  Chap  6.  7  &  8 
verfes.  For  I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  time 
of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight. 
I  have  finished  my  Course,  I  have  kept  the  faith.  Hence- 
forth there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  Crown  of  righteousnefs, 
which  the  Lord  the  righteous  judge  shall  give  me  at  that 
day :  and  not  to  me  only  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love 
his  appearing  and  kingdom. 

Sabbath  August  11  Mr  Niles  A  M  Acts  20  Chap  36,  37 
&  38  "And  When  he  had  thus  spoken  he  kneeled  down 
and  prayed  with  them  all.  and  they  all  wept  sore,  and 
fell  on  Pauls  neck  and  kifsed  him  sorrowing  most  of  all 
for  the  words  which  he  spake,  that  they  should  see  his 
face  no  more. 

After  the  Bareres  the  af sociation  agree  'd  to  supply  the 
Pulpit  for  my  benefit,  till  the  Second  Sabbath  in  October. 
Sabbath  August  18,  Mr  Cobb  145  pf aim  "The  Lord  is 
righteous  in  all  his  ways,  and  holy  in  all  his  works. 
Sabbath  August  25  Mr  LeBaron  epistle  of  John  2  vers 
"Truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father  and  with  his 
Son  Jesus  Christ." 

Sabbath  Sept.  1th  Mr  Gurney    James  5  Chap  11  vers. 
"Behold  we  count  them  happy  which  endure." 
Sabbath  Sep1  8  Mr  Barker    Luke  22  Chap  46.  "and  he 
said  unto  them  why  sleep  ye?    Arise  and  pray  lest  ye 
enter  into  temptation."    A  M. 

P  M.  "  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd  I  shall  not  want. ' '  Ex- 
celent  —  like  your  dear  Father  Hannah. 
September  15  Mr  Chadock  Colofsians  1  Chap  28  ver 
"Whom  we  preach,  warning  evry  man,  and  teaching  evry 
man,  that  we  may  present  evry  man  perfect  in  Christ 
Jesus." 

Sabbath  Sep1  22  Mr  Andros  disapointed  me  no  Public 
worship,  dull  day  indeed,  aunt  Cary  and  Tommy  here 
on  a  visit. 

Sabbath  29    Mr  Wm  Read    Isaiah  5  Chap  4  ver  "What 
could  have  been  done  more  to  my  Vineyard  that  I  have 
not  dont  in  it?    Wherefore  when  I  looked  that  it  should 
bring  forth  grapes,  brought  it  forth  wild  grapes." 
Sabbath  Oct :  1    Mr  Wetherton. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  251 

192 
The  following  quaint  inscription,  apparently  proposed 
for  Dr.  Bobbins'  tombstone,  was  with  Mrs.  Bobbins'  let- 
ters to  her  daughter : 

This  Stone 
Erected  by  the  first  Parish  in  Plymouth 
as  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of 
The  Rev*  Chandler  Robbins  D.D. 
Who  was  ordained  Pastor  of  the  first  Church  in 
this  Town  Janry  30  1760  and  entered  his  ever- 
lasting rest  Sabbath  day  June  30  1799 
aged  61 
No  more  shall  ruptured  lungs  or  vifced  blood 
Threaten  thy  life,  immortall  as  thy  God 
Rest  thou  dear  Clay  till  the  last  rifing  morn 
Than  spring  to  life  and  put  thy  glories  on 
The  labours  of  his  mortall  life 
End  in  a  large  reward 

A  month  later  Rev.  Thomas  Robbins  and  his  sister, 
Sarah,  visited  in  Plymouth.  He  writes :  ' '  Oct.  25,  1799. 
Dined  at  Aunt  Thompson's.  She  having  failed  through 
misfortune  has  again  begun  in  trade  and  has  fair  pros- 
pects. This  town  is  in  a  very  great  tumult  respecting  a 
minister. "  "27.  Heard  Mr.  Kendall  preach.  I  think  it 
will  be  a  great  misfortune  to  this  town  to  have  him  for 
their  minister."  "28.  Saturday  evening  my  cousin 
Chandler  Robbins  came  here  from  the  eastward  on  a 
short  visit.  This  town  is  in  a  ferment  on  account  of  a 
billet  which  was  yesterday  [i.  e.  Sunday]  pinned  on  the 
cushion,  and  addressed  to  the  minister.  At  evening  it 
appeared  to  be  from  my  cousin  P.  G.  Robbins."  Peter 
G.  Robbins  was  about  eighteen  years  old.  Rev.  James 
Kendall  became  the  pastor  of  Dr.  Robbins  's  old  church 
and  during  his  ministry  of  fifty-one  years  the  church 
passed  over  to  Unitarianism. 


252  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

193 

Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives 
Gilman  and  Rev.  Isaac  Robbins,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plymouth  Dec  19  1799. 
My  very  dear  Children, 

Your  last  letter  makes  me  anxious  to  hear  from  you 
again,  I  don't  know  whether  it  is  a  month  since  I  wrote 
last,  as  I  keep  no  account,  but  I  know  you  wish  to  hear 
from  me,  I  take  my  pen  to  tell  you  I  have  been  unwell 
since  I  wrote  you  last,  a  slow  fever  lofs  of  appitite  &c 
tho  Dr  Thacher  thinks  I  shall  get  better  and  that  I  don't 
ail  eno  to  medician  much.  I  am  ready  to  think  that  my 
health  is  declining.  I  feel  pritty  much  the  same  com- 
plaint that  your  dear  Father  did.  0!  that  I,  and  my 
dear  children  may  be  prepared  for  the  whole  will  of  a 
holy  God,  who  has  a  right  to  dispose  of  us,  as  shall  be 
most  for  his  glory. 

I  suppose  by  this  time  Isaac  is  got  home,  I  say  home, 
as  his  atachment  is  so  great  there  that  he  says,  he  could 
not  be  willing  to  stay  here.  He  behaved  very  prudently 
while  he  was  here.  He  was  very  much  urged  by  our  good 
people  to  preach,  but  he  declined  it.  said  he  never  in- 
tended to,  only  among  his  own  connections,  the  Meth- 
odist —  and  then  he  should  not  think  himf elf  at  liberty  to 
refuse,  he  preach 'd  at  the  Methodist  Church  in  Boston 
&  at  Lynn,  and  to  good  acceptance.  It  is  remarkable 
that  Jenny,  and  he,  should  join  the  Methodist,  But  the 
reason  was  the  same,  their  was  no  other  preaching  at  the 
eastward,  and  Jenny  told  me,  that  she  had  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  they  were  blefsed  as  a  means  to  open  her  eyes 
to  see,  she  was  a  lost  sinner,  and  the  blefsed  spirit  of  God, 
she  had  reason  to  think  enlighten 'd  her  mind  in  the  sav- 
ing knoledge  of  Christ  as  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life. 
Your  dear  father  said,  no  matter  who  the  instrument  is, 
send  by  whom  thou  wilt  send.  He  said  he  wished  all  his 
dear  Children,  may  experience  the  same  truths  that  he 
had  evry  reason  to  hope  she  had.  the  last  letter  she 
wrote  before  her  father  dyed  affected  him  very  much 
she  says,  she  knew,  she  had  been  disobedent  to  her  Par- 
ents ;  unkind  to  her  Brothers  &  Sister  and  begs  their  for- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  253 

givenefs.  what  greater  evidence  of  the  spirit  of  a  Chris- 
tian than  humility.  I  believe  their  are  many  bad  men, 
and  prehaps  immoral,  who  attempt  to  teach,  on  the  other 
hand  I  believe  their  are  some  pious  people  of  that  denom- 
ination. I  can't  alow  myfelf  to  feel  any  degree  of  preju- 
dice against  them. 

When  I  wrote  you  last,  I  told  you  that  the  Church  had 
given  a  call  to  a  Mr  Kendle,  he  has  accepted,  and  is  to  be 
ordain 'd  the  first  of  Janry.  the  disaffected  to  him,  talk 
of  building  a  new  meeting  house,  they  cannot  be  easy 
under  such  preaching,  at  present  we  are  in  a  divided, 
mellancholly  situation,  those  among  us  who  ware  most 
friendly  to  each  other  are  now,  opposed  in  that,  where 
they  ought  to  be  most  agreed.  For  my  own  part,  I  say 
but  little  to  either  party.  But  think  we  have  reason  to 
lenient.  "How  is  the  gold  become  dim!  the  most  fine 
gold  changed,  the  son's  of  Zion  compairable  to  fine  sil- 
ver how  are  they  esteemed  &c  &c. 

Sabbath  Dec  22  I  have  been  reading  your  Fathers 
Sermon  preach 'd  7  years  ago  this  day,  I  soppose  you 
have  got  it.  0 !  how  totaly  different  is  the  preaching  we 
have  now.  He  has  finish 'd  his  testemony,  and  is  thro 
grace,  receiving  his  reward,  I  have  not  a  doubt. 

I  had  a  letter  from  you  last  evening  my  dear  Child,  I 
feel  for  you,  in  your  ill  state  of  health,  under  your  cir- 
cumstances, incourage  yourfelf  in  God.  hope  in  his  mercy, 
for  body  and  Soul. 

I  desire  to  commend  you  to  God,  who  knows  your  evry 
want,  and  is  able  to  save,  when  I  set  alone  and  think  of 
my  dear  absent  Children,  it  a  consolation  to  me  that  they 
are  all  in  his  sight,  he  can  do  for  them  all  they  want.  I 
am  not  able  to  go  out,  have  a  slow,  intermitting  fever, 
lost  my  flesh,  Susy  lives  with  me  and  is  very  attentive  — 
Anna  is  here  too,  and  Philemon  dear  Child,  is  all  my  fam- 
ily. I  am  pestered  to  get  a  pen  that  will  make  a  stroke, 
you  are  a  good  reader,  or  I  would  try  to  coppy  this  my 
love  to  your  Parents  —  dear  Benjamin  and  all  the  chil- 
dren from  your  affectionate  mother  Jane  Bobbins 

Aunt1  says  tis  because  I  am  low  in  spirits  that  I  am 

i  Mrs.  Thompson  died  January  6,  1800,  a  few  weeks  after  this  was 
written. 


254  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

unwell  —  that  is  not  the  cause  when  I  am  well,  I  am  not 
low  spirited.  I  intended  to  say  something  of  Peters  Sit- 
uation but  Isaac  can  tell  you  all  about  him. 

194 

Mrs.  Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives 
Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plymouth  May  7th  1800 
My  very  dear  Children, 

I  with  pleasure  received  a  letter  from  you  my  dear  Son 
Benjamin,  giving  me  the  pleasing  intelegence  that  my 
dear  Hannah  was  thro  the  great  mercy  of  God  put  to  bed 
well  —  after  great  and  severe  distrefs  and  imminant 
peril,  dear  Child,  I  think  of  you  with  great  anxiety  when 
I  know  you  are  in  circumstances,  you  have  suffered  so 
much  in  time  past.  But  the  Lord  who  heareth  the  cryes 
of  his  creatures  in  distrefs,  and  who  is  often  seen  in  the 
momnt  of  danger,  has  appeared  again  for  your  deliver- 
ance. Blef s  the  Lord  0 !  my  Soul,  and  all  that  is  within 
me  blefs  his  holy  name,  you  called  upon  him,  in  your 
trouble  he  answered,  may  you  be  enabled  to  glorify  him, 
by  devoting  yourself,  and  Children,  to  God  thro  Jesus 
Christ  —  as  is  our  reasonable  service,  can  it  be,  that 
you  have  6  children,1  may  the  God  of  your  Father,  be 
your  God  and  their  God  forever,  it  is  a  great  Charge,  to 
have  the  care  of  the  education  of  Children,  to  train  them 
up  in  the  way  they  should  go.  I  pray  you  may  have 
grace  to  behave  in  a  right  manner  and  that  they  may  be 
blefsings  in  the  world,  as  to  myself  I  desire  to  be  hum- 
bled before  God  that  I  have  been  so  neglectfull  in  my 
duty  to  my  Children  —  indeed  in  evry  relation  of  life,  as 
a  Child  —  Wife  —  Parent  —  neighbour,  and  to  implore 
forgivenefs  thro  the  merrits  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  has  made  an  atonement  for  Sin. 

I  thank  you  my  dear  Children,  for  your  affectionate 
concern  for  my  health  and  happinefs,  my  complaints  are 
very  singular,  the  greatest  distrefs  is  a  heat  at  my  stom- 

i  Elizabeth  Hale  Gilman  was  born  April  3,  1800.  From  the  end  of  the 
letter  it  ia  evident  that  Mrs.  Robbins  expected  that  the  baby  would  be 
named  after  its  mother. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  255 

ach,  some  times  in  my  back,  lof s  of  appetite,  no  relish  for 
one  thing  more  than  another,  my  flesh  all  gone,  a  very 
confused  feeling  in  my  head,  that  sometimes  I  hardly 
know  where  I  am,  nor  can  attend  to  anything  ever  so 
triffling,  at  such  times  Company,  is  very  burdensome  to 
have  Dr  Thacher  think  my  complaints  are  nervous,  I 
don't  know  but  he  is  right  in  his  judgment,  I  have  not 
had  any  other  Dr  I  have  as  much  confidence  in  him,  and 
more  than  any  I  know  of.  I  desire  to  put  my  whole  trust 
in  the  Great  Physician,  who  knows  all  my  pains  of  body, 
and  Soul  and  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost.  I  hope  in 
the  mercy  of  God,  that  I  may  be  restored  to  health  — and 
be  made  a  blefsing  to  my  dear  Children,  and  have 
patience,  to  bare  the  chastisements  of  the  holy  and  right- 
ious  disposer  of  all  events. 

You  speak  often  of  my  leaving  Plymouth,  I  am  not 
able,  at  present  to  ride  far,  I  do  ride  evry  pleasant  day, 
perhaps  the  air  is  beneficial,  the  exercise  sets  me  all  in  a 
flutter.  I  hope  I  shall  recover  that.  I  believe  it  to  be 
my  duty  to  be  resigned  to  the  will  of  God  and  remain 
where  I  am  for  the  present.  I  expect  Chandler  in  a  day, 
or  2,  on  a  visit,  hope  I  may  have  occafion  to  rejoyce  in 
the  goodnef  s  of  God. 

I  think  it  is  likely  Jenny  is  confined  by  this  time,  tho  I 
have  not  heard,  Mr  Goodwin,  is  not  very  fond  of  writing 
himfelf,  She  wrote  me,  that  she  had  been  very  much 
troubled,  with  a  numbnef  s  in  her  right  arm,  that  was  very 
alarming,  could  not  hold  her  neadle,  or  pin,  Dear  Child,  I 
hope  when  she  gets  to  bed,  it  will  be  better.  She  finds 
eno'  to  do  in  her  family,  tho  she  is  as  to  her  mind  in  per- 
fect peace,  she  writes  beautifull  letters,  grows  in  the 
divine  life,  and  seems  preparing  for  the  life  of  glory. 

Have  you  received  a  letter  I  sent  on  by  Dear  Isaac  — 
I  have  had  a  letter  from  him  since  his  return,  he  tells  me, 
that  he  was  out  on  a  Mifsion,  tho  he  says  he  goes  thr 
hardships,  he  doth  not  repent  his  undertaking,  he  is  will- 
ing to  take  up  the  Crofs,  and  hopes  to  ''endure  as  seeing 
him  who  is  invifible".  I  hope  for  a  letter  from  your  own 
dear  hand  soon,  and  the  mercy  God  has  begun,  may  be 
made  perfect. 

Mr.  Gill,  lays  at  the  point  of  death  with  the  dropsy. 


256  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

He  has  been  in  very  poor  health  2  years  past,  after  the 
court  broke  up  this  spring  he  went  to  Princeton,  on  his 
journey  home  he  caught  such  a  cold  as  laid  him  up.  He 
keeps  his  bed  and  is  given  over  by  the  Dr.  Peter  went  to 
Boston  to  get  money  from  him  to  pay  the  expence  of  his 
sicknefs,1  and  to  take  up  his  connections  at  Cambridge, 
but  he  could  do  neither  it  has  given  me  great  uneasinef  s. 
I  hope  when  my  Dear  Son  Chandler  comes,  something 
will  be  done  about  it,  I  wrote  to  Mr  Gill  repeatedly  on 
the  subject  but  he  did  nothing  about  it.  it  hurts  me  that 
my  dear  Children  should  be  sufferers,  if  I  had  been  able 
to  have  gone  to  Boston  myself,  it  would  have  been  done, 
Drs  Nurfes —  board  —  watchers  &c  amount  to  100  dol- 
lars —  this  expence  would  be  nothing,  as  it  was  the  hand 
of  the  Lord,  compared  with  the  [torn]  is  at  home  out 
of  imploy,  what  he  will  do  in  the  future  I  know  not.  I 
hope  some  way  will  open.  0 !  I  wish  to  cast  this  care, 
and  every  other  burden,  on  the  Lord  who  has  in  infinite 
condefenfion,  allowed  and  invited  us  to  do  it. 

I  need  not  tell  you  that  my  head  was  confused,  this 
letter  is  an  evidence  of  the  truth.  My  love  to  your 
Father  &  Mother  and  all  the  dear  Children,  not  forget- 
ting little  Hannah.  May  we  thro  rich  mercy  be  prepared 
for,  and  at  last  meet  in  a  world  of  perfect  love  (should 
we  never  see  each  other  in  this)  prays  your  — 

affectionate  mother    Jane  Robbins 

195 

Mrs.  Chandler  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman, 
Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plymouth  June  27  1800 
My  dear  dear  Hannah, 

I  last  evening  received  a  letter  from  your  own  hand.  0 ! 
what  renewed  cause  have  we  to  live  a  life  of  devotednefs 
to  our  great  preserver.  May  he  who  has  again  appeared 
for  you  in  your  destrefs  and  granted  you  so  great  a  mercy, 
perfect  his  goodnefs  to  your  body  and  soul,  tis  true  I 
have  not  been  able  to  write  so  often  as  I  should  have  done 
had  I  health  but  the  last  letter  I  had  from  Mr  Gilman 

i  Referring  to  Dr.  Robbins  's  illness. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  257 

the  day  you  was  put  to  bed,  I  answered  derectly.  I  hope 
my  dear  Child,  you  will  soon  recover  your  Sight ;  look  to 
Jesus,  for  temporal  and  spiritual  sight,  as  to  myself  I 
feel  as  the  warm  weather  comes  on,  declining  fast.  I 
know  that  with  God,  all  things  are  pofsable,  he  can  bring 
up  from  the  borders  of  the  grave,  in  his  hands  our  life, 
and  souls  are,  he  can  deliver  and  if  we  put  our  trust  in 
him,  he  can  give  us  better  blef sings  than  life  or  all  things 
that  can  be  desired,  what  is  life,  tis  but  a  vapour  that 
appeareth  but  for  a  moment,  and  then  vanisheth  away. 
I  want  a  heart  resigned  in  all  things  to  his  will  and  to 
be  prepared  for  every  event  of  his  holly  Providence.  0 ! 
that  my  dear  Children  may  have  submifsion  to  God  and 
when  father  and  mother  forsake  them,  may  the  Lord  take 
them  into  the  armes  of  his  covenant  love  and  mercy. 

I  am  sorry  Isaac  has  not  written  to  you,  he  intended 
it,  when  he  went  away  told  me  he  should  write  you  a  long 
letter  and  I  sent  a  part  of  a  Journal  I  had  begun,  which 
I  thought  you  would  be  glad  to  see  also  a  sermon  preach 
by  Mr  Shaw  on  your  dear  father's  death,  if  you  had 
received  it,  you  would  have  mentioned  it.  I  am  at  a  lof s 
to  account  for  Isaac  neglect.  I  can't  think  it  is  done  with 
desire  —  I  have  only  one  short  letter  from  him  since  he 
went  away. 

You  mention  Mr  Gill  sickness,  no  doubt  you  have  heard 
of  his  death  by  this  time,  as  to  his  great  estate,  tis  said 
all  his  property  is  so  imbarased  that  he  will  hardly  have 
eno  to  pay  his  debts,  all  I  have,  that  I  depended  upon 
for  support,  is  in  a  very  precarious  situation  I  feel  sorry 
for  my  Children,  but  desire  to  leave  that  and  everything 
else  of  a  temporal  nature,  you  say  I  must  keep  up  my 
spirits,  I  know  I  am  too  much  depressed,  and  tis  my 
earnift  prayer  to  be  delivered  from  it.  may  that  God, 
who  heareth  for  his  own  name  sake,  deliver  me  from  all 
my  fears,  and  of  his  infinite  mercy  make  me  meet  to  be- 
come a  partaker  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 

Plymo  July  18  1800. 

I  begun  to  write  some  time  my  dear  Hannah,  but  have 
not  been  able  to  finish  this  letter,  this  morning  your 
dear  Brother  Chandler,  who  has  been  here  a  fortnight 
past,  with  his  wife  brought  me  a  letter  from  you,  I  long 


258  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

for  strength  to  write  largly,  which  used  to  be  the  great- 
est pleasure  to  me.  Chandler  —  Jane  &  Peter  are  at 
home  and 

[The  letter  breaks  off  here.  Chandler  Bobbins  added 
a  few  lines,  and  it  seems  to  have  been  sent  in  an  unfin- 
ished state  after  the  next  two.] 

This  Letter  my  dear  Hannah,  was  the  last  that  our  dear 
Mother  ever  wrote  —  I  find  a  number  of  scraps  which 
she  wrote,  chiefly  relating  the  Exercises  of  her  mind 
during  the  past  Winter  —  She  has  been  uniformly  in  a 
State  of  Despondency  and  Agony  of  mind  but  it  is  con- 
soling that  her  Prospects  brightened  towards  the  close 
of  Life  —  and  that  she  died  calmly  [torn]  left  us  last 
Mon  [torn]  and  I  am  forry  to  fay  —  it  has  made  no  Im- 
prefsion  on  him  but  for  a  moment  —  He  has  no  Solidity 
of  Judgment  —  and  God  knows  how  he  is  to  make  his  way 
in  the  world  —  All  my  Hopes  are  from  this  Voyage  —  I 
am  hourly  expecting  to  see  you  —  but  if  you  do  not  come 
before  I  leave  this  I  f hall  be  distref sed  for  you  —  I  mean 
if  you  are  on  the  way  —  Brother  Sam  left  this  last  Week 
for  Stockbridge.  he  will  be  approbated  this  M°  and 
will  I  hope  be  in  a  condition  to  fupport  himself.  I  have 
a  painful  Scene  to  witnef s  tomorrow  —  the  public  sale  of 
our  Furniture  —  Jenny  has  received  some  articles  as  I 
have  also  done  and  as  the  distance  to  you  is  so  great 
[torn] Id  not  [torn] 

196 
Chandler  Robbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman 
and  Rev.  Isaac  Robbins,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plymouth  12  July  1800. 
My  very  dear  Brothers  &  Sister 

It  is  with  inexprefsible  pain  that  I  inform  you  of  the 
very  low  state  of  our  dear  Mother's  health  —  I  wrote  you 
last,  immediately  on  receiving  a  Line  from  Dr  Thacher 
in  which  he  fpoke  favorably  of  her,  fince  which,  and  as 
the  hot  weather  has  advanced,  She  has  failed  very  fast, 
and  I  came  from  home  with  Harriot  that  fhe  might  have 
the  Consolation  of  feeing  us  in  her  folitary  and  afflicted 
Situation.     I  reached  this,  last  Week,  and  Harriot  this  — 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  259 

Mama  was  much  overcome  on  feeing  us,  and  I  afsure  you 
we  were  no  lefs  fo,  on  observing  the  furpriz8  Change 
fince  we  last  Taw  her.     She  is  amazingly  emaciated  — 
you  could  not  know  her  —  is  fo  weak  that  fhe  can  fcarce 
walk  acrofs  the  Room  — and  is,  I  am  very  fensible,  near 
the  End  of  her  Afflictions.  —  and  May  that  Almighty  Be- 
ing in  whose  hands,  and  at  whose  disposal  is  every  Event, 
prepare  her,  and  us  for  the  Scene  which  is  not  far  distant 
before  us  — I  have  fent  for  Sister  Jenney,  as  I  cannot 
think  of  returning  home,  and  leaving  Mama  in  her  pres- 
ent Situation,  alone.     Shall  wait  untill  fhe  fhall  come  0 
my  Sister  that  it  was  pofsible  for  you  to  come  too  and 
afsist  to  fmooth  the  Bed  of  Death.     I  have  asked  Dr 
Thacher  how  long  we  may  expect  her  to  continue  and  he 
gives  but  feeble  Encouragement  on  account  of  the  Dog- 
Days  but  thinks  if  she  can  furvive  thro'  them  there  will 
yet  be  a  chance,  but  I  think  it  a  duty,  which  I  fhould  ex- 
pect from  you  in  such  an  instance,  to  give  you  her  true 
Situation,  that  your  Minds  may  be  prepared  for  whatever 
Event,  it  may  be  the  Will  of  God  to  cause  — Since  the 
Death  of  our  dear  Father,  She  has  met  many  Afflictions 
and  Tryals,  which,  with  that,  have  caused  her  Mind  to 
fink  under  their  Prefsure.     She  does  not  fuffer  much 
pain  — and  fleeps  tolerably  well,  but  is  gradually  wasting 
away.    Brother  Sam  is  here,  he  will  leave  this  for  Lee 
in  the  County  of  Berkshire  where  he  is  pursuing  his 
Studies,  the  next,  or  the  Week  after  — Peter  is  here,  & 
has  no  Prospects  of  any  Businefs  — I  wish  twas  in  my 
power  to  afsist  or  take  him  with  me  but  it  is  not.    Phile- 
mon I  must  in  duty  take  care  of,  but  I  am  distrefs'd  on 
Peter's  account  — If  it  is  pofsible  my  Sister  for  you,  or 
My  Brothers  to  come,  I  know  you  will  not  fail,  as  tis  pof- 
sible you  may  be  here  yet  to  fee  and  embrace  the  best  of 
Mothers  once  more  —  and  in  either  Alternative,  I  wish 
your  Afsistance,  and  to  know  your  wishes  respecting  the 
Disposition  of  Affairs  here. — 

Harriot  joins  me  in  best  Love  to  yourselves  and  little 
ones —  remember  us  affectionately  to  your  good  Parents 
and  believe  me  to  be  Your  affectionate  Brother 

Chandler. 


260  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

197 
Chandler  Bobbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman 
and  Rev.  Isaac  Robbins,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Plymouth  13  Sep1 1800. 

The  Lord  gave  and  he  hath  taken  away  —  &  may  we 
my  dear  Brothers  and  Sister,  blefs  his  holy  name.  Yes- 
terday at  half  after  Four  in  the  Afternoon  our  dear 
Mother  entered  into  her  everlasting  Rest.  I  had  by  my 
two  last  Letters  from  this  place,  prepared  you  to  receive 
the  melancholly  Intelligence  which  I  now  communicate, 
but  it  will  be  with  you  as  with  us,  tho '  the  Event  was  ex- 
pected and  in  the  Seasons  of  her  great  distrefs  in  the 
latter  part  of  her  Illnefs  was  prayed  for  by  us  yet  the 
Reality  is  fcarcely  fupportable.  May  that  Being  who 
has  declared  himself  a  Father  to  the  Fatherlefs  and  the 
Orphan's  God,  fupport  you  my  dear  Brothers  and  Sister, 
and  all  of  us  under  the  Severity  of  his  Chastisements. 

Our  dear  Mother  continued  much  longer  with  us  than 
we  expected  —  She  fuffered  but  little  Pain  during  her 
Illnefs,  but  complained  of  a  distrefsing  Heat,  down  from 
her  Neck  throughout  her  Back,  at  times,  but  in  the  last 
three  or  four  days  of  her  Life  She  had  Paroxisms  of 
Distrefs  through  her  whole  frame  which  were  violent  in- 
deed fo  that  She  could  lay  but  a  few  minutes  in  any  pos- 
ture, and  We  were  continually  removing  her  —  but  I  do 
not  know  that  She  was  ever  distrefs 'd  for  Breath.  Her 
Mind  was  in  a  gloomy  desponding  frame  untill  the  last 
fortnight  of  her  Life,  when  her  prospects  of  Futurity 
brightened  and  She  rejoiced  in  her  Hope.  She  died  calm 
and  ferene.  I  was  kneeling  at  her  Bedfide  and  holding 
her  hand  when  fhe  expired.  She  died  without  a  Struggle 
or  motion  of  a  Muscle — a  few  Minutes  before  She  expired 
I  told  her  She  was  leaving  us,  and  would  very  foon  be 
forever  free  from  her  Pains  and  Distrefses — (this  was 
the  last  that  was  faid  to  her).  She  replied  "I  hope  so  — 
God  Almighty  be  praised,"  and  fell  asleep. 

I  do  not  feel  disposed  to  mention  the  subject  of  the 
Property  left  by  our  dear  Parents,  but  as  the  distance  is 
so  great  between  us  and  Communications  are  so  necef- 
sarily  lengthy  in  their  Conveyance  I  will  mention,  that 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  261 

as  I  have  been  so  long  here,  and  have  given  up  my  Bus- 
inefs  for  the  Summer,  at  a  great  sacrifice,  I  wish  to  fettle 
as  much  of  the  businefs  of  the  Estate  as  pofsible,  before 
I  return  home,  that  I  may  not  be  compelled  to  be  here  a 
long  time  in  future.  I  propose  to  dispose  of  the  Furni- 
ture except  fuch  Articles  as  any  of  the  Children  may 
wish  for,  before  I  leave  this.  Jenney  will  felect  fuch 
things  as  She  thinks  you  may  choose  and  they  Shall  be 
reserved — [torn]  has  exprefsed  a  Wish,  on  Paper, 
that  her  Cloaths  be  equally  divided  between  her  two 
Daughters  except  a  Paste  Necklace  and  her  gold  Sleeve- 
buttons  which  she  has  given  to  Harriot,  also  that  the 
Plate  may  be  divided  equally  between  her  fix  Children, 
&  in  lieu  of  Philemons  part  wishes  that  he  may  have  his 
Bedsted,  Bed,  Pillow,  2  P  Strong  Sheets  Pillow  Cases 
Blankets  &  Coverlid  — 0  my  Dear  Brothers  &  Sister  I 
long  to  fee  you  and  unite  our  Tears  with  your's  on  this 
melancholly  occasion  —  As  Isaac  informed  that  he  fhould 
foon  go  on  another  Circuit  &  did  not  fay  where  to,  I  do 
not  write  him,  do  it  yourselves  instantly,  and  tell  him  the 
cause  of  my  not  writing — We  are  your  truly  affectionate 
and  afflicted  Chand.  Jenney  Harriot  Sam  P  &  Peter  G.— 

Our  dear  Mother  has  left  an  unfinished  Letter  for  you. 
I  fhall  take  care  of  it  for  you  — &  copy  fome  of  her  other 
papers  for  you. 

Write  to  me  at  Hallowell. 

198 
Mrs.  Francis  LeB.  Goodwin  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gil- 
man,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Frankfort  March  15th  1801.1 
My  Dear  &  only  Sifter 

It  is  a  fortnight  this  day  since  I  receiv'd  your  dear  Let- 
ter —  I  should  have  written  you  sooner  after  the  receipt 
of  yours  if  I  had  had  Leasure.  But  my  Girl  who  lived 
with  me  was  call'd  home,  &  I  have  had  no  help  at  all,  for 
near  a  fortnight,  &  my  dear  Babe  has  been  &  still  is,  very 
unwell,  we  are  much  concern 'd  about  him.  it  is  nearly 
four  weeks  since  we  difcovered  a  swelling  in  his  groin, 

i  Mrs.  Goodwin  died  July  20,  1801. 


262  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

thought  he  was  going  to  have  a  sore  —  but  the  swellg 
increases,  &  has  no  appearence  of  Maturating,  it  is  nearly 
the  size  of  a  large  Hen's  Egg  &  Purple,  we  are  fearful  it 
will  prove  to  be  a  Burst,1   it  is  quite  painful  at  times  — 
but  he  is  a  little  Patient  Lamb.     Hannah  you  ask  if  I 
can  realize  that  our  dear  Parents  are  forever  gone.     I 
suppose  I  can  better  realize  it  than  you  can.     Before  I 
went  to  Plymouth  I  thought  I  could  never  Bury  my  dear 
Father  &  Aunt  —  felt  as  if,  —  when  I  went  to  Plymouth, 
I  must  see  Dear  Pa 'a  standing  at  the  Closet  Just  before 
Bed-time  with  the  Silver  cup  &  Viol  of  Anodyne  in  one 
hand,  the  Candle  in  the  other,  with  his  Cap,  &  Gown  on  — 
&  in  Imagination  —  could  hear  him  say,  —  my  dear  dont 
you  think  I  had  better  take  an  anodyne  to  night?     I  slept 
none  last  night  —  waiting  &  longing  for  Mar  to  encourage 
it.    As  he  did  when  I  was  last  there  —  in  his  life  time  — 
But  my  dear  sifter  when  I  got  there  &  saw  my  dear 
Mother  on  a  dying  Bed  I  had  scarcely  room  in  my  mind 
to  think  of  my  dear  Father  &  Aunt  —  It  was  wholly  taken 
up  with  that  one  dear  object  of  my  affection.  —  You  wish 
to  know  what  sustenance  our  Dear  Mar  had.     When  I 
got  there  she  had  allmost  intirely  lost  her  apetite  —  she 
told  me  she  did  retain  a  little  relish  for  Coffee  —  for  two 
or  three  mornings  She  drank  a  cup  of  Coffee,  &  eat  a 
small   peice    of    Cracker,     after   that  —  she   could   take 
nothing  but  Barley-water  from  a  cup  full,  to  a  few  Tea- 
spoons full  —  for  better  than  a  week  before  she  died  I 
used  to  feed  her  with  a  few  Teaspoonsfull,  once  in  two  or 
three  hours  —  she  could  not  take  more  than  half  a  Tea- 
spoonfull  in  her  mouth  at  once,  &  it  was  with  great  diffi- 
culty that  she  could  swallow  it,  she  died  the  twelvth  of 
Sep4  about  four  o  clock  in  the  afternoon  on  Fryday.     I 
went  to  feed  her  in  the  morn  —  &  it  allmost  strangled 
her.     she  whisper 'd  &  told  me  she  could  not  take  it  — 
said  her  swallow  was  gone  —  &  I  could  not  perswade  her 
to  take  any  more  while  she  lived.  —  there  was  no  one  in 
the   room  when  she  died  but   Chandler  &  Wife,   Sam 
Prince,  Peter,   Susy,  &  myself.  —  I  ask'd  her  — a  few 
hour's  before  she  expired  if  we  should  send  for  Mr  Ken- 

1  Burse  —  a  boil. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  263 

dall — she  said  No  —  she  was  afraid  she  could  not  attend 
to  his  Prayer,  &  it  would  be  sinfull. 

After  we  really  Perceiv'd  she  was  dying — we  did  not 
love  to  send  for  him,  least  it  should  worry  her.  —  she  was 
perfectly  sensible  (as  I  wrote  you  before)  &  rejoiced  at 
the  approach  of  Death  —  Mr  Kendall  came  in  soon  after 
she  died  — &  Pray'd  with  us.  We  should  have  burried 
her  on  the  Sabbath  — but  Mr  K 11  was  under  obliga- 
tion to  be  absent.  She  was  buried  on  Monday  —  The 
Mourners  only  met  at  our  house — (those  who  were  in- 
vited to  walk  as  Mourners)  walk'd  in  Procefsion  to  the 
Meeting-house,  the  Precious  Corpse  sat  down  in  the 
Broad  Alley  —  the  Mourners  in  the  Pews  each  side  of 
the  Pulpit.  A  very  large  Collection  of  People  beside.  — 
first  they  sang  the  Funeral  thought  —  then  Mr  Kendall 

made  a  very  long  &  excellent  Prayer,  then  Mr  K 

read  that  Hymn  of  Mr  Whitefields  composing  —  "Ah 
Lovely  Appearance  of  Death"  —  which  was  sung  with 
great  solemnity.  If  you  have  not  the  Hymn,  I  will  write 
it  out  &  send  you,  with  some  alterations,  which  my 
Brothers  &  I  thought  Proper  to  make,  we  had  a  number 
of  coppies  written  &  sent  to  the  Singers. 
Then  we  proceeded  from  the  Meeting-house  down  round 
Mr  Withrells  corner  along  the  main  street  as  far  as  Coll 
Warrens,  on  one  side  of  the  Street,  &  came  back  on  the 
other,  &  up  the  Hill  where  we  depofited  the  last  remains 
of  our  Valuable  Parent — beside  the  Grave  of  our  Dear 
Father.  And  their  immortal  Parts  I  trust,  are  rejoicing 
together,  &  Singing  the  Song  of  Redeeming  Love.  —  God 
grant  my  Dear  Sister  that  you  &  I,  &  all  that  are  dear  to 
us  may  be  so  happy  as  to  join  them — when  call'd  to  quit 
this  Claye  Tabernacle.  —  The  Sabbath  Following,  we  all 
went  to  meeting,  in  the  forenoon  Mr  Briggs  Preach 'd, 
(Debby  Sampsons  Husband)  &  in  the  afternoon  Mr  Ken- 
dall preach"1  the  funerall  Sermon,  which  you  have. — 
The  next  Fryday  I  left  Plymo'  in  the  Stage  to  Boston,  & 
from  there  home  by  water,  but  two  clays  Pafsage.  Ac- 
cording to  your  desire,  I  have  been  very  Particular  — 
Perhaps  too  much  so  for  the  eye  of  a  Critic  —  but  your 
good  Husband  will  have  the  goodnefs  to  look  over  with 
an  eye  of  Candor  —  &  consider  I  am  writing  to  my  second 


264  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

self,  in  one  sense.  You  ask  my  oppinion  of  Mr  Kendall  — 
I  think  there  cant  be  a  more  agreable  man,  he  is  of  an 
excellent  clifposition,  affectionate,  Tender,  Delicate  &  a 
man  of  exquisite  Sensibility,  he  appear 'd  more  like  a 
tender,  Child  to  our  dear  Mar,  than  like  a  common  ac- 
quaintance. &  like  an  affectionate  Brother  to  all  our  fam- 
ily.—  you  could  not  but  Love  him.  But  he  does  not 
Please  some  of  our  Dear  Pa 'as  good  old  Stanch  friends  — 
I  believe  he  is  rather  too  Liberall  in  his  Sentiments, 
they  seem  to  be  divided,  I  suppose  you  knew  they  had 
built  a  new  Meeting-house  —  &  there  are  a  number  that 
do  not  go  to  hear  him  Preach.  I  really  believe  he  is  a 
good  man  —  they  dont  consider  that  he  has  not  Pa 'as 
years,  nor  experience.  It  is  a  Pitty  that  there  should  be 
such  Disunion  [betwjeen  the  Lords  Children  for  I  believe 
there  are  sin  [cere  Christ]  ians  on  both  sides. 

I  had  a  Letter  from  Samuel  not  long  since,  he  was  well 
&  Preaching  at  Blandford  Hampshire  County  —  talks  of 
Visiting  us  in  the  Spring  —  or  summer.  0  my  dear  Sis- 
ter—  if  I  could  only  have  one  more  interview  with  you, 
I  feel  as  if  I  should  not  want  any  greater  gratification  in 
this  Life.  Shall  I  never  have  that  happinef s !  my  heart 
Longs  for  it. 

Dear  Philemon  is  well,  &  Perfectly  Contented  &  happy 
says  Sifter  write  to  sifter  Hannah  &  give  her  love 
to  me.  Poor  Peter  we  cant  expect  to  hear  from  yet, 
hope  he'll  be  Protected  &  Preserved,  &  kept  from  Vice, 
remember  me  with  respect  to  your  good  Parents,  kind 
love  to  dear  Husband,  &  Children,  tell  my  dear  little 
namesake  she  must  write  me  a  letter,  or  aHeast  a  Post- 
script to  her  Mars.  —  Francis  often  Laughs  at  Ch.  Rob- 
bins  about  his  Cousin  Penknife  as  he  used  to  call  him.  I 
must  leave  a  little  room  —  Perhaps  my  Husband  when  he 
comes  home,  will  write  a  line  or  two  —  Do  my  dear  Sifter 
write  often  —  &  ask  any  &  every  question  you  wish  to  — 
&  I'll  endeavor  to  answer  them  Punctually  — 
Your  very  affectionate  Sifter 

Jane  P.  Goodwin. 
Husband  not  at  home  or  would  write  you  a  line,     this 
must  go  to  the  Office. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  265 

199 
Rev.  Ammi  Ruhamah  Robbins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benj. 
Ives  Gilman,  Marietta,  Ohio, 

My  dear  Friends, 

Being  troubled  with  ye  Rheumatism  seated  in  my  right 
hand  I  can  scarce  move  my  fingers,  hence  must  write  very 
small  &  it  will  be  hardly  legible — but  having  so  direct  an 
Opp°  I  can't  let  it  slip  —  Mrs  Guiteau  has  given  us  pleas- 
ing information  from  you  —  your  Welfare  your  profper- 
ity  and  ufefulnefs  —  When  I  contemplate  the  variegated 
scenes  yl  take  place  in  this  changing  world  this  is  my  con- 
folation  —  yl  ye  Lord  Jehovah  reigns  —  Infinite  Wisdom 
governs  —  And  all  is  right,  &  will  be  right  —  0  where  is 
my  Dr  Br  —  dear  sister  Jenny  —  dear  Jenny  2nd!  alas 
gone  from  ys  world  of  sin  &  sorrow  —  &  we  hope  thro 
Grace  in  happier,  far  happier  Climes.  We  would  not 
then  wifh  them  back  to  beat  on  ye  boisterous  Ocean  of 
this  tumultuous  world.  Let  us  believe,  love,  worship  & 
serve  ye  same  God  &  Savior  which  we  trust  they  did  & 
prepare  to  join  ym  in  a  better  world.  0  how  remark- 
ably is  my  dear  Bros  Family  scattered  —  may  ye  fervent 
Prayers  of  their  pious  parents  be  heard  &  anfwered  for 
their  dear  child"  that  y°  may  all  be  followers  of  Christ  & 
prepare  to  dwell  with  them  in  Glory. 

I  received  a  Letter  lately  from  Chandler,  to  whom  I 
wrote  a  few  weeks  before — He  has  bro't  dear  Philemon1 
since  Jenny's  Death,  to  Plymouth  &  placed  him  with  y* 
good  Mrs  Diman  to  take  care  of  —  happy  I  believe  for  ye 
poor  child  —  God  in  His  kind  Providence  I  trust  will  take 
care  of  that  dear  youth  who  is  unable  to  care  for  him- 
self—  perhaps  he  may  spend  some  of  his  Life  with  you 
or  Sam  P.  should  be  in  a  capacity  for  it  —  Poor  Peter  G. 
is  not  yet  returned  —  &  is  probably,  if  alive,  now  on  the 
boisterous  Deep  or  in  distant  Climes  —  may  ye  God  of  his 
Fathr  be  his  shield. 

Cousin  Sam  P.2  is  preaching  at  Becket  about  30  miles 
distant  from  us.     He  is  well  efteemed  &  I  trust  will  make 

i  Philemon  lived  to  be  fifty  years  old. 

2  This  refers  to  Mrs.  Gilman  's  brother  Samuel  P.  Robbins. 


266  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

a  good  &  ufeful  minifter  of  Chrift,  perhaps  he  will  settle 
where  he  now  is  or  somewhere  in  these  parts. 

As  to  Plym0  you  had  information,  I  conclude,  that  ya 
have  another  minifter  settled  in  Bros  Pulpit  —  but  I  fear 
not  of  y*  same  Spirit  &  principles.  A  Seperation  has 
taken  place  —  anothr  Houfe  built  &  ya  are  preparing  to 
settle  another  Minifter.  May  ya.  succeed  &  be  built  up 
in  ye  Doctrines  principles  &  Experimental  Religion  of 
their  forefathers  in  yl  ancient  Ch\  As  to  my  Family 
thro  Gods  Goodnefs  we  are  yet  spared  &  in  comfortable 
Health  &  peace  —  Ammi  is  settled  near  us  on  a  good 
Farm,  Natty  full  of  Bufinefs  as  deputy  Sheriff  but  ex- 
pects to  marry  soon  &  live  in  Town.  Thomas  is  yet  a 
Candidate  &  tho  urged  to  settle  in  the  miniftry  —  feels 
loth  to  be  so  confined  on  ace*  of  health.  Sally  is  with  us 
&  a  great  Comfort  to  her  Mother.  She  went  with  her 
Cousin  Sam  P.  in  ye  summer  paft  to  Bofton,  Plym0 
Rochefter  &c  very  agreable  tour.  James  is  in  his  last 
year  in  College  &  perhaps  will  persue  the  studdy  of  Divin- 
ity. The  other  two  sons  at  home.  Dear  Friends,  I  grow 
old,  having  already  exceeded  ye  bounds  of  my  Dr  Br0. 
But  while  I  live,  I  truft,  I  shall  love  &  pray  for  the  Dear 
Family  yl  descended  from  him  —  Sifter  Starr  alfo  grows 
old  &  rather  infirm  —  but  is  a  sweet  Chriftian  &  follower 
of  Jefus.  She  and  myself,  you  will  recollect,  are  all  yl 
remains  of  my  Father's  Family  —  May  'you,  my  Dr 
Friends,  live  many  Days,  be  ufeful,  be  virtuous,  be  true 
followers  of  Jefus  —  &  may  you  faithfully  educate  yr  dear 
Child"  &  have  comfort  concerning  them. 

[torn]  political  affrs — ye  appn  dark  —  tumults  &  Divi- 
sions prevail  —  &  we  know  not  [torn]  But  ye  God  of  Zion 
reigns  —  &  blessd  are  all  ya  yl  love  him  &  [torn]  in  ye  ark 
of  Safety — We  all  join  in  cordial  affection.  Accept 
[torn]  of  love  from  yr  affectionate  uncle  Ammi  R  Robbins 

200 
Rev.  Samuel  P.  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman, 

Marietta,  Ohio. 

Becket  Jan.  3,  1802.  (Sab.  eve.) 
My  dear  and  only  Sister, 

One  year  has  elapsed  since  I  last  wrote  you.     Did  I 


IN  LETTEES  AND  DOCUMENTS  267 

write  to  you  as  much  as  I  thought  of  you,  I  was  going 
to  fay,  our  estates  would  not  pay  the  postage.  But  that 
would  be  exaggerating.  It  feems  as  if  I  must  fee  you 
before  another  year  is  at  an  end.  The  pains  of  absence 
are  great,  both  with  respect  to  you  and  the  rest  of  the 
family;  —  especially  in  my  present  fituation  —  cast,_  as 
it  were,  into  the  open  world,  without  any  parental  guide, 
and  void  of  parental  instruction.  But  in  the  midst  of 
this  melancholy  train  of  thought,  I  cannot  fay  that  I  am 
destitute  of  comfort,  either  from  temporal  or  fpiritual 
sources.  It  would  be  wicked  to  fay  it.  The  presence  of 
God  can  make  the  darkest  time  light.  There  is  nothing 
that  tends  to  chear  &  elevate  the  finking  fpirits,  and  raise 
one  up  above  the  frowns  or  flatteries  of  this  empty  world, 
more  than  this.  No  wonder  then  that  the  true  Christian 
speaks  of  it  so  highly.  Give  him  this  and  he  will  ask  no 
more.  "For  here  is  fulnefs  of  joy."  All  other  comforts 
are  unf atisf ying ;  and  ever  will  be.  If  then  this  be  so 
infinitely  valuable,  is  it  not  of  importance  that  we  know 
whether  we  are  in  pofsefsion  of  it?  —  If  we  are  not,  we 
are  in  a  poor  fituation  indeed.  Justly  then,  may  we  be 
compared  in  f acred  writ  to  "the  troubled  fea  when  it 
cannot  rest."  And  if  we  die  fo  we  are  afsured  of  "hav- 
ing no  rest  day  nor  night"  forever.  These  are  concerns 
therefore,  worthy  of  attention. 

We  have  been  called,  it  feems  once  more  to  taste  of 
the  cup  of  forrow.  I  believe  we  have  this  to  console  us, 
that  fhe  was  prepared  for  the  important  change.  In- 
deed, fhe  prayed  that  her  departure  might  be  hastened. 
0  that  we  might  be  followers  of  fuch,  who,  through  faith 
and  patience,  have  gone  to  inherit  the  promises !  — 

A  letter  lately  from  Chandler  informs  that  Uncle 
Prince 1  has  likewise  quitted  this  clayey  tabernacle.  Thus, 
my  dear  fister,  are  our  friends  leaving  us,  while  we  are 
left  to  mourn  their  lofs ;  and  to  improve  the  folemn  calls. 
Soon  we  fhall  follow  them,  and  leave  this  world  behind 
us ;  with  all  its  airy  vanities.  Hence  the  folly  of  laying 
up  for  ourselves  treasures  on  the  earth.     If  we  have  not 


i  This    was    probably    Samuel    Prince    of    Boston,    a    brother    of    Mrs. 
Chandler  Eobbins. 


268  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

our  treasure  in  heaven  —  i.e.  if  our  hearts  are  not  there, 
we  are  of  all  creatures  the  most  miserable. 

Feeling  fomewhat  weary,  having  preached  longer  than 
usual  today,  must  break  off  for  tonight. —  (Good  night, 
my  dear  lister!) 

Jan.  4.  Chandler  has  doubtlefs  written  to  you  about  his 
disposal  of  Philemon.  Dear  boy,  I  feel  for  him.  He 
shall  never  fuffer,  if  I  can  help  it.  May  God  be  his  pro- 
tector, &  the  portion  of  each  one  of  us!  The  fhip,  in 
which  Peter  went,  has  returned;  and  I  feel  anxious  to 
hear  from  him.  Chandler  writes  that  you  contemplate 
a  visit  this  way  in  the  f pring,  with  If aac ;  which  I  am  re- 
joiced to  hear.  I  really  wish  if  confistent,  that  it  might 
be  so  arranged,  as  that  you  could  be  here  (or  in  these 
parts)  by  the  time  that  I  fhall  set  out  for  Hallowell  — 
which  will  be,  probably,  by  the  latter  end  of  April,  or 
beginning  of  May.  Do  write  me  about  it.  It  feems  as  if 
I  could  not  wait  another  year  before  I  fee  f ome  of  my  col- 
laterals. There  is  a  peculiar  kind  of  pleasure  to  be  had 
in  an  interview  with  near  relatives ;  of  which,  it  is  hardly 
presumable,  that  the  God  of  nature  ever  designed,  that 
we  should  be  utterly  deprived.  You  would  doubtlefs 
like  to  hear  respecting  my  fituation.  I  went  to  Ply- 
mouth, in  the  fummer,  —  returned  into  these  parts,  after 
a  visit  of  three  weeks: — have  been  here,  now,  ever  since 
the  middle  of  September;  fhall  tarry  probably  longer. 
There  feems  to  be  fome  attention  to  religion  here.  0 
that  God  would  crown  my  labors  with  fuccefs;  and  his 
will  be  the  glory!  I  preached  yesterday  a  new-year's 
discourse  (from  Luke  13.7)  They  feemed  to  be  all  atten- 
tion ;  and  f  olemn  as  eternity.  I  want  to  hear  from  If  aac 
how  he  fucceeds  &c.  Shall  write  to  him  at  Baltimore, 
agreeably  to  his  request,  in  Chandler 's  letter.  Our  Con- 
necticutt  friends  are  well.  I  am  but  about  30  miles  from 
them.  "Well,  my  dear  fister,  I  must  conclude.  May  God 
be  with  you  &  yours  forever,  is  the  sincere  desire  of  your 
affectionate  brother,  Sam1  P.  Bobbins. 

N.  B.  Don't  fail  to  write  by  the  next  post  —  let  what  will 
hinder.  Your  last  letter  was  dated  the  anniversary  of 
your  marriage.  If  your  next  is  dated  then  I  shall  be 
content. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  269 

Direct  to  Stockbridge ;  &  Stockbridge  postoffice  —  which 
is  12  miles  from  this ;  —  to  the  care  of  Rev.  Mr  Hyde. 

Jan.  [torn] 802  I  put  this  in  the  office  havs  had  no 
oppty  fince  the  last  Date. 

201 

Mrs.  Oilman's  seventh  child,  Chandler  Robbins,  was 
born  September  6,  1802. 

After  Mrs.  Chaandler  Robbins'  death,  letters  between 
the  brothers  and  sister  became  infrequent,  although  they 
never  lost  touch  with  each  other.  Before  we  enter  upon 
the  series  of  Benj.  Ives  Gilman's  business  letters  run- 
ning through  ten  years,  we  meet  new  family  connec- 
tions, the  Lippincotts  and  Swifts,  who  belong  to  a  part 
of  our  country  which  has  not  yet  been  represented  by 
these  letters. 

The  following  letter  is  from  Patty  Swift,  a  school- 
teacher at  Stamford,  Conn.,  to  her  brother,  Isaac,  who 
lived  at  the  family  home  in  Cornwall,  about  fifty  miles 
distant.  They  were  the  children  of  Dr.  Isaac  Swift  and 
his  wife,  Patience  Case,  who  both  came  from  Kent,  an- 
other town  in  Litchfield  County,  Conn.  Dr.  Swift  was  a 
surgeon  in  the  Revolution  from  1775-1778,  and  resigned 
after  the  winter  at  Valley  Forge.  His  children  were 
Adoniram,  who  married  Lodemia  Peck ;  Abiah,  who  mar- 
ried Jesse  C.  Crissey  and  lived  at  Lumberland,  N.  Y. ; 
Patience  (Patty),  who  married  Rev.  Thomas  Lippincott 
and  became  the  mother  of  Abia  Swift  Lippincott  ;  Lura, 
who  married Dexter ;  and  Isaac,  who  moved  to  Ra- 
venna, Ohio,  in  1815  and  married  there  Eliza  Thompson, 
of  Pittsfield,  Mass. 

Two  letters  from  Patty  Swift  to  her  brother  Isaac 
and  a  paper  silhouette  are  the  only  relics  that  her  de- 
scendants possess  of  her ;  her  death  came  in  the  earliest 
days  of  the  settlement  of  Illinois,  —  her  grave  at  Shiloh 
was  unmarked  and  her  memory  faded  away. 


270  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

From  Patty  Swift  to  Isaac  Swift,  Cornwall,  Conn. 

Dearest  Brother  Stamford  August  15th  1804 

I  have  written  to  you  by  a  private  conveyance  but  know 
not  as  you  have  received  the  letter.  I  am  very  anxious 
to  hear  from  you  and  my  other  friends,  but  have  been 
deprived  of  that  happinefs  entirely  —  I  have  not  heard 
a  syllable  frorom  any  of  you  although  I  have  expected 
it  dayly.  I  wish  very  much  to  know  what  you  are  doing 
and  what  your  calculations  are.  My  school  closes  exactly 
seven  weeks  from  this  then  I  go  up  the  river  on  a  visit, 
but  have  not  concluded  whether  to  return  or  not;  when 
I  hear  from  my  friends  I  shall  conclude  if  we  both  take 
schools  for  the  winter  I  should  be  much  gratified  in  hav- 
ing you  near  me  —  You  might  take  the  school  in  Pionas 
no  doubt  where  I  taught,  and  I  think  it  would  suit  you 
very  well  and  you  would  be  likely  to  please  as  they  have 
been  unfortunate  lately  in  obtaining  good  teachers,  you 
will  therefore  have  the  better  chance  —  perhaps  I  shall 
conclude  before  I  finish  this  letter  whether  I  am  to  stay 
or  not  that  you  may  know,  and  if  I  have  an  opportunity 
to  enquire  about  the  school  I  shall  and  inform  you  Good 
night  my  dear  brother  it  is  time  to  retire ;  may  a  merciful 
Providence  protect  us  through  the  night!  —  Friday  the 
9th  —  I  have  received  a  letter  from  sister  Crifsy  this 
week.  I  expect  her  here  on  a  visit  soon,  oh  how  glad  I 
shall  be  to  meet  her  again  indeed  there  is  nothing  in  life 
worth  living  for  unlefs  it  is  the  society  of  friends  and 
relatives.  I  have  lately  been  deprived  of  that  favor  as 
it  respects  relatives  but  hope  not  always  to  be,  still  how- 
ever I  have  many  blefsings  for  which  I  ought  to  be  very 
thankful  —  this  is  the  twefth  day  of  the  month  —  Last 
evening  I  received  a  visit  from  S  Davenport  who  in- 
formed me  that  he  and  a  Mr  Sl  John  from  New- York  ex- 
pected to  go  to  Sharon  on  a  visit  soon.  I  have  been  wait- 
ing some  time  that  I  might  conclude  where  to  spend  the 
winter,  writing  now  and  then  a  line  as  opportunity  pre- 
sented, but  have  not  yet  determined,  perhaps  I  shall  write 
the  next  by  the  mail,  but  I  must  hear  from  you  first,  I  am 
very  anxious  to  hear  from  you  put  your  letter  in  the  Post 
Office  immdately  if  no  other  opportunity  presents  or  I 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  271 

shall  not  receive  it  before  my  school  closes,  as  it  closes 
the  21st  of  next  month.  I  shall  expect  sister  C.  in  about 
a  fortnight  I  hope  she  will  not  come  till  about  time  for 
my  school  to  be  out,  and  then  bear  me  company  up  the 
river  her  family  were  sick  with  the  measles  therefore  I 
think  it  very  uncertain  at  what  time  she  comes.  I  think 
it  very  strange  that  you  have  not  written  this  sumere 
I  have  been  here  all  alone  as  it  were  and  had  not  even 
the  privileg  of  hearing  from  any  of  my  friends  —  till 
within  a  week;  what  have  you  been  doing  you  have  not 
been  at  school  all  this  time.  I  think  it  is  longer  than 
you  calculate  to  attend  school.  I  expected  you  would 
have  written  a  number  of  times  whilst  at  school  but  I  pre- 
sume you  found  enough  to  attend  to,  though  it  would 
have  been  an  advantage  to  you  to  have  written  letters 
often.  I  wish  brother  Adoniram  or  Lodema  would  write 
I  should  receive  and  answer  with  the  greatest  pleasure. 
I  want  to  hear  about  ther  little  children  I  expect  they 
will  all  grow  out  of  my  knowledge :  give  my  love  to  them 
and  to  Aunt  and  to  all  enquiring  friends,  I  should  like 
very  [much]  to  hear  from  my  N  Haven  friends,  write 
me  all  you  know  about  them  and  others  — 
I  Hope  My  Dear  brother  you  will  never  become  unsteady 
and  a  rover,  but  attend  to  something  that  will  be  of  use 
to  you  in  future  life  with  afsiduity  do  not  forget  the  ad- 
monitions of  your  mother,  do  not  forget  to  prepare  for 
a  future  state,  death  must  come  and  what  is  a  short  life 
to  a  never  ending  Eternity  if  you  do  not  cultivate  a  love 
for  virtue  and  religion  here  you  cannot  be  happy  here- 
after. I  must  close  but  with  reluctance,  do  remember 
my  things  at  home  and  diaper  and  blanket  at  Elsworth. 
do  not  let  them  be  lost.  I  intend  to  cary  them  to  Lum- 
berland  if  ever  I  have  an  opportunity.  Yours  affection- 
ately Patty  Swift  — 

202 

The  Bethlehem  Female  Seminary  of  Bethlehem,  Pa., 

kept  by  Sisters  of  the  Moravian  Church,  was  a  girls' 

school  of  some  note  at  this  date.     Undoubtedly  Mrs. 

Joseph  Gilman's  warm  friendship  for  Rev.  John  Heck- 


272  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

welder,  a  Moravian  missionary  among  the  Indians  of 
Ohio,  was  the  controlling  factor  in  their  choice  of  this 
school  for  two,  at  least,  of  their  daughters  and  their 
granddaughter,  Jane  Woodbridge. 

Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Peter  G.  Bobbins,  Andover, 
Mass. 

Marietta  October  29th  1804 
You  accuse  me  of  neglect,  my  dear  Brother  in  not  writ- 
ing to  you,  and  forget  that  I  wrote  last,  immediately 
on  the  receipt  of  your  last  letter,  I  wrote  you  particularly 
of  myself  and  family,  so  long  a  space  of  time  has 
elapsed  since  that  time  that  you  have  forgot  it.  —  or  the 
letter  has  miscarried.  I  am  however  induced  to  believe 
the  latter,  since  this  new  form  of  Government,  there  is 
no  dependance  or  confidence  to  be  placed  in  Post-mas- 
ter's, or  any  Men  that  are  now  in  Office,  it  is  my  serious 
Opinion  that  we  are  all  going  down  down  as  fast  as  pof- 
sible.  —  and  unlefs  the  kind  interposing  hand  of  Prov- 
idence avert  the  stroke,  I  see  nothing  (in  respect  to  our 
Political  affairs,)  but  blood-shed,  and  ruin.  —  but  enough 
of  Politicks  for  me.  you  say  my  dear  Brother,  you  fre- 
quently hear  from  Sammy,  but  dont  say  what  town  he 
is  in.  I  wish  you  would  let  me  know  in  your  next,  as 
I  want  to  write  him.  you  exprefs  my  dear,  some  in- 
clination to  hear  particularly  of  my  family.  I  have 
seven  Children  the  oldest,  Jane  Bobbins  14,  has  been 
at  Bethlehem  school  2  years,  her  Papa  expects  to  go  in  a 
few  weeks  over  the  Mountains  and  take  her  from  their  to 
a  school  in  Philadelphia,  N  York  or  Providence,  to  fin- 
ish her  Education.  Joseph  is  a  great  Boy — goes  to  a 
good  school  here  with  his  other  Brothers  &  Sisters,  his 
Papa  intends  to  put  him  to  a  Merchant  in  Philadelphia. 
Ben  Ives  is  a  fine  scholer  —  has  a  retentive  Memory,  lerns 
very  fast  —  and  his  Papa  intends  to  send  him  over  the 
mountains  for  his  Education.  Bebeeca  is  an  uncommon 
steady  Child  —  delights  in  lerning  —  is  very  ingenious  — 
and  discovers  a  remarkable  taste  for  drawing,  you 
would  be  supprized  to  see  the  landscapes,  flowers  &c 
of  her  own  ingenuity.  Bobert  is  a  fine  Child  —  looks 
more  like  our  Dear  Papa,  than  any  child  he  ever  had. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  273 

is  remarkably  fond  of  his  book  —  when  from  school,  he 
is  always  reading  and  his  delight  is  in  reading  religous 
books  —  is  always  asking  questions  respecting  religion, 
another  world  &c  that  would  astonish  you.  dear 
child  —  O  that  he  and  all  of  them  might  grow  in 
grace  and  belong  to  the  family  of  Christs  flock.  Eliza 
is  a  very  sprightly  child  —  fond  of  play  —  but  ambitious 
to  lern.  Chandler  Bobbins  is  his  Mama's  baby  and  a 
blue  hen's  chicken,  my  worthy  and  beloved  Husband  is 
well  and  unites  with  me  in  tenderest  love  to  yourself, 
as  to  myself  —  if  you  recollect  Aunt  Cary's  looks  you  will 
have  some  Idea  of  mine,  tho  I  am  much  more  fleshy 
than  ever  she  was  or  our  dear  Mama,  you  may  Judge 
by  this  our  Country  is  a  very  healthy  one.  in  this 
town  there  are  five  Physicians  —  whether  they  get  enough 
by  their  practice  to  pay  for  Medicine  is  uncertain,  if 
you  want  to  make  money  and  can  keep  yourself  in 
health  the  falls  of  Ohio  4  hundred  miles  down  the  river 
from  here  is  the  best  place  I  know  of  —  but  my  dear 
Peter  you  must  come  and  see  the  country  —  perhaps 
you  would  not  like  it  —  if  I  did  not  know  the  great  ex- 
pence  of  a  Journey  here  I  should  urge  it  upon  you  very 
much,  no  circumstance  would  add  so  much  to  my  hap- 
pinefs  as  to  see  you  or  any  of  my  dear  Brothers  here, 
our  dear  Brother  Isaac  is  in  partnership  with  my  best 
friend.  —  gone  into  trade  —  settled  in  Alexandria  —  mar- 
ried a  fine  Woman  of  26  who  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Church  10  years  before  marriage  and  has  now  pre- 
sented him  a  fine  Daughter  who  they  call  Jane  Prince, 
after  reminding  you  my  dear  Peter  of  the  pious  instruc- 
tions and  advice  of  the  best  of  Parents  which  I  pray 
Heaven  will  ever  make  a  serious  &  lasting  imprefsion  on 
your  mind  and  wishing  you  every  happinefs  here  and 
hereafter  I  conclude  your  Affectionate  Sister 

Hannah  Gilman 
PS     in  your  next  —  direct  to 
MrBIG  merchant  Marietta 
State  of  Ohio 


274  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

203 

Rev.  Animi  Ruhamah  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gil- 
man,  Marietta,  Ohio. 

Norfolk  Novr  1st  1805. 
My  Dr  Niece 

At  length,  we  muft  part  with  Dear  Sam  P.  who  sets  off 
this  morning  for  Marietta.  May  the  God  of  our  Fathers 
be  his  God  &  Guide  —  protect  &  put  him  on  the  way  — 
bring  him  safe  to  you  —  And  make  him  a  Comfort  to  you 
&  you  to  him — and  a  great  Bleffing  to  the  Chh  &  people 
there  &  in  thofe  Regions  where  the  Caufe  of  the  dear  Re- 
deemer so  much  requires,  plain-faithful  Minifters  —  I 
wrote  largely  a  fortnight  paft  to  both  Comittees  of  Chh 
&  Society  there  refpecting  his  Ordination  &c.  hope  there 
will  be  a  refpectable  Council  &  that  the  Solemnities  may 
be  so  performed  as  to  do  honor  to  Religion  &  be  for  the 
peace  &  Satisfaction  of  the  people  there.  —  Your  Brother 
is  near  &  dear  to  me  next  to  my  own  Sons.  He  has  a 
good  Heart  and  is  indeed  a  good  preacher  &  very  usefull 
in  Christian  Conference.  But  with  respect  to  worldly 
matters  will  need  Advice  &  Counfel,  which  you  &  Mr  Gil- 
man  &  near  Friends  must  give  as  Occafion  requires  — 
My  hope  &  prayer  is  that  he  may  do  worthily  &  be  a  great 
Bleffing  to  you  &  your  Children  in  that  Country.  — 
I  have  written  to  Mr  Badger  &  Tommy 1 —  hope  you  will 
see  them  there  &  enjoy  mutual  Satisfaction.  Dr  Hannah, 
may  you  inherit  the  Religion  and  piety  of  your  Dr  Par- 
ents —  &  above  all  things  Seek  first  the  Kingdom  of  God. 
Our  affectionate  Regds  to  your  dear  Hufband  loye  to  your 
tender  Babes.  That  you  may  still  see  good  Days,  but 
efpecially  obtain  thro  grace  a  glorious  Inheritance  be- 
yond this  World,  is  the  real  defire  &  prayer  of  yr  old  but 
affectionate  Uncle  Ammi  R :  Robbins. 

204 
In  an  earlier  letter  Joseph  Gilman  mentions  the  pre- 
vailing land  speculations  of  the  western  settlers.     His 

1  His  son,  Kev.  Thomas  Robbins,  the  diarist,  who  rode  five  hundred 
miles  to  be  present  at  the  ordination  of  his  cousin,  Rev.  Samuel  P.  Robbins, 
at  Marietta,  January  8,  1806. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  275 

son,  Benj.  Ives  Gilman,  seems  to  have  been  inoculated 
with  this  fever  and  when  business  conditions  were  not 
good,  he  was  so  much  extended  that  he  was  at  times  dis- 
tressed for  ready  money.  He  was  a  merchant  in  Mari- 
etta, dealt  in  furs,  was  the  first  ship-builder  on  the  Ohio 
and  owned  a  rope-walk. 

The  next  letter  was  undoubtedly  sent  to  Washington, 
D.  C,  as  Congress  had  moved  to  the  north  wing  of  the 
Capitol  in  1800. 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman. 

Marietta  Decr  20th  1805. 
Dear  Sir/ 

Your  favour  of  the  5th  ins1  has  been  duly  recd.  If  Mr 
Martin  will  pay  you  $4000  for  the  Section  on  the  Muskin- 
gum, payable  in  one  &  two  years,  I  should  advise  a  com- 
pliance with  the  offer.  Mr  Seth  Adams  (formerly  of  Bos- 
ton) wishes  to  purchase  the  same  Land  &  will  give  one 
Dollar  Pr  acre,  payable  in  three,  four  &  five  years.  From 
the  tenor  of  your  Letter,  I  presume  this  offer  will  not  be 
accepted.  The  Emigration  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  for  the 
last  six  months,  has  exceeded  all  expectations ;  of  course 
Lands  are  more  enquired  for.  Your  Section  on  the 
Muskingum,  from  its  Situation,  will  certainly  ensure  a 
sale  in  a  short  time,  on  good  terms ;  &  had  the  Locators 
(Wells  &  Armstrong)  done  you  justice,  your  property 
here  would  have  been  of  double  the  value  that  it  now  is. 
I  have  not  had  an  oppertunity  of  making  a  satisfactory 
Sale  of  a  single  acre  of  the  section  on  Whetstone,  &  only 
a  part  of  that  on  Licking — For  the  Sales  made  I  am  to 
receive  payment  in  September  next  —  I  now  have  a  fair 
prospect  of  selling  both  Sections  in  the  course  of  the  next 
fix  or  eight  months ;  &  the  moment  I  receive  a  payment, 
I  will  remit  you  the  amount  —  until  then  I  must  beg  your 
indulgence,  as  it  would  be  very  injurious  to  me  at  the 
present  time  to  draw  from  my  Stock  in  Trade.  —  I  now 
have  a  Brig,  ready  for  Launching  (designed  for  a  remit- 
tance to  New  York)  — If  a  War  with  Spain  takes  place,  I 
shall  be  at  a  great  lofs,  what  to  do  with  her.  —  Perhaps 
the  Government  may  wish  to  purchase.  —  She  is  65  feet 


276  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Keel,  22  Beam  &  11  feet  Hold.  —  Has  ports  for  fourteen 
Guns  &  may  carry  sixteen  —  It  is  expected  that  she  will 
be  a  very  fast  Sailer.  —  Her  Bottom  is  of  best  White  Oak, 
Futtocks  Locust,  &  top  timbers  of  red  Cedar.  —  plank 
from  30  to  55  feet  in  length.  —  The  Master  workman  is  an 
experienced  and  faithful  builder,  &  I  will  venture  to  say 
that  the  Vefsell  is  equal  in  every  respect,  to  any  one  of 
her  size  in  the  United  States,  the  want  of  Copper  only 
excepted.  —  Her  Hull  is  completely  finished  &  the  sails 
&  rigging  nearly  done ;  and  may  be  ready  to  descend  the 
River  within  three  weeks.  —  Will  you  permit  me,  Sir,  to 
ask  the  favour  of  you,  to  speak  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  on  this  subject  —  should  a  Vefsell  of  this  size  be 
wanted,  I  can  procure  the  most  satisfactory  Certificates, 
of  the  uncommon  goodnefs  of  the  work  &  materials  — 
Gen1  Carbury  (who  superintends  the  Gun  Boats  on  the 
Ohio)  has  been  on  board  and  can  give  a  description  if 
required.  —  The  Gun  Boats  will  not  be  ready  to  descend 
the  Ohio  until  April,  &  two  that  are  building  in  this  Town 
cannot  be  ready  until  the  last  of  May.  It  therefore  may 
be  of  efsential  service  to  have  an  armed  Vefsel  at  New 
Orleans,  at  an  early  period.  Guns  &  other  Warlike 
Stores,  can  be  fent  from  Washington  City,  to  this  place 
(in  Waggons)  in  25  Days. 

If  the  Government  should  have  occasion  to  build  more 
Vefsells  on  this  River,  I  should  be  very  glad  to  engage 
two,  the  ensuing  season.  —  I  have  the  best  Workman  in 
the  Country  engaged,  &  will  undertake  to  build  better 
Gun  Boats  than  any  yet  built  on  the  Ohio.  —  If  I  could 
obtain  a  contract  for  two,  I  could  appropriate  the  price 
of  one  to  the  Debt  due  for  the  Land. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  my  worthy  par- 
ents enjoy  good  health.  Shall  we  never  have  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  you,  Sir,  at  Marietta?  You  will  recollect  that 
we  are  only  eight  days  journey  from  Washington  City. 

I  am  Sir  very  respectfully  your 

obliged  humble  Servant, 

Benja  Ives  Gilman. 
N.  B.     I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  enclosing  a  Letter  for 
Gov.  Bowen,  in  order  to  ensure  a  fafe  conveyance.    Will 
you  please  to  place  it  in  the  Post  Office,  without  frank- 
ing—  His  fon  (formerly  Judge  Bowen  of  Georgia)  is  now 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  277 

in  this  Town,  in  a  most  melancholly  situation  being  de- 
prived of  his  reason,  &  is  in  confinement. 

Between  this  letter  and  the  next,  Judge  Joseph  Gilman 
died  at  Marietta,  May  14, 1806,  aged  sixty-eight.  He  was 
buried  there,  but  many  years  after  his  grandson,  Win- 
throp  S.  Gilman,  brought  his  body  to  New  York  and  had 
it  interred  in  the  Gilman  plot  in  Greenwood  Cemetery. 

Mrs.  Ben j.  Ives  Gilman 's  fifth  son,  Arthur,  named  for 
Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair,  was  born  June  28,  1806. 

205 
Ben  j.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman. 

Marietta  Novr  28th  1807. 
Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  to  You  in  Feby  last  by  Mr  Brown  since  which  I 
have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  from  you.  —  I  then 
repeated  the  information  of  my  having  made  a  contract 
with  Daniel  Stilwell  to  sell  your  Section  on  the  Muskin- 
gum for  Four  thousand  Dollars  with  Interest  payable  in 
Philad  the  2d  day  of  May  next  (at  the  office  of  Mefsrs 
McEuen  Hale  &  Davison)  Mr  Stillwell  paid  $300  in  hand, 
which  will  be  forfeited  if  he  does  not  make  the  other  pay- 
ment at  the  time  specefied. 

Being  confined  to  my  chamber  at  this  time  by  a  Rheu- 
matic complaint,  I  am  incapable  of  writing  more  than 
feven  or  eight  minutes  at  one  time ;  I  must  therefore  omit 
the  subject  of  the  Debt  due  from  me  for  a  few  days,  when 
I  hope  to  be  rid  of  this  troublesome  complaint. 

I  remain  Sir  very  respectfully 

Your  obl  Serv* 

Benja  Ives  Gilman. 

206 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Phila- 
delphia.1 

Marietta  Jan.  6th.  1808. 
Dear  Sir, — 

By  the  last  mail,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your 

i  MS.  loaned  by  Daniel  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H. 


278  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

esteemed  favour  of — ult  &  a  Duplicate  of  a  letter  dated 
— th  of  Oct.,  the  original  of  which  has  not  been  received. 
The  delicate  and  very  kind  manner  in  which  you  mention 
the  Debt  due  from  me  for  land,  has  imprefsed  me  with 
the   livliest   sentiments    of   gratitude.     The   heavy   lofs 
which  I  sustained  last  spring,  by  the  wanton  destruction 
of  a  ship  on  the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  has  so  far  deranged  my 
affairs,  as  to  render  it  impofsible  for  me  to  make  the  pay- 
ments intended  &  which  I  so  ardently  wish.     Of  the  sec- 
tion on  Whetstone  I  have  never  been  able  to  sell  an  acre 
until  last  month,  when  I  disposed  of  a  part  am0  to  about 
$3500  for  which  I  recd  Bonds  on  Interest  secured  by  a 
mortgage.     The  locaters  Wells  &  Armstrong  were  grofs 
deceivers  &  had  a  very  incompetent  knowledge  of  the 
land.     Indeed   I  am  not  without  suspicions   that  they 
would  have  chosen  better  lands  for  you  if  they  had  recd 
their  premium  out  of  each  Section.     I  thank  you,  Sir, 
for  mentioning  my  son  Benjamin,  for  whose  welfare  we 
have  much  solicitude.    When  he  left  home  I  had  no  idea 
of  his  going  so  far  eastward  as  Exeter:   otherwise  I 
should  have  given  him  letters  to  the  friends  of  our  fam- 
ily.   We  labour  under  great  disadvantages  in  this  Coun- 
try on  account  of  Schools;  &  in  consequence  of  this,  & 
some  other  unpleasant  circumstances  (always  to  be  found 
in  new  Settlements)  I  have  entertained  serious  thoughts 
of  a  removal  to  the  Atlantic  States.     During  the  life  of 
my  dear  &  respected  Father  I  felt  perfectly  satisfied  with 
our   situation,   because  I   found   him  enjoying  unusual 
health  &  happiness.     During  the  16  years  that  he  re- 
sided in  this  Country,  scarce  a  cloud  obscured  his  happi- 
ness.    The  climate  was  very  favourable  for  his  peculiar 
constitution,  &  there  was  not  anything  to  interrupt  that 
literary  leisure  to  which  he  was  so  strongly  attached. 
Our  family  have  not  only  lost  a  most  affectionate  &  ten- 
der parent,  but  have  to  lament  the  lofs  of  him,  who  was 
their  unerring  guide,  in  all  questions  relative  to  Science, 
Morals  or  Belle-lettres.     Since  his  death  everthing  wears 
a  different  aspect,  &  not  having  any  personal  or  local 
attachments,  I  should  quit  the  place  without  regret.    The 
principal  obstacle  in  the  way  of  a  removal  is  the  heavy 
debt  I  owe  you,  sir,  for  land.    It  is  my  intention  to  de- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  279 

vote  the  present  year  to  settling  all  my  mercantile  affairs 
so  that  I  may  be  ready  to  remove  whenever  other  cir- 
cumstances will  permit.  If  I  should  sell  my  property 
here  I  could  take  with  me  from  30  to  40,000  Dols.  If  a 
sale  could  not  be  effected,  I  could  rent  my  pofsefsions  in 
this  Town  &  vicinity  for  $1000  P  anm.  Excuse  me  Sir 
for  going  so  far  into  detail  of  my  private  affairs.  The 
debt  I  owe  you  is  so  large  that  I  thought  it  proper  to 
make  you  perfectly  acquainted  with  my  situation.  My 
excellent  Mother  enjoys  good  health  &  with  Mrs  Gilman 
joins  me  in  presenting  our  regards.  I  am,  Sir,  very  re- 
spectfully Your  obl  humbe  Serv1 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman 
N.  B.     I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  enclosing  a  letter  for 
Isaac  Robbins  of  Alexa  which  contains  halves  of  some 
Bank  Notes.     Several  letters  having  lately  miscarried, 
occasions  my  taking  this  freedom. 

207 

Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman 's  youngest  child,  Winthrop 
Sargent  Gilman,  was  born  March  28,  1808.  Their  eldest 
child,  Jane,  had  married  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  Novem- 
ber 10,  1807,  Dudley  Woodbridge,  son  of  Hon.  Dudley 
and  Lucy  (Backus)  "Woodbridge,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  and 
Marietta.  She  died  in  Marietta,  September  18,  1808,  at 
the  birth  of  her  daughter,  Jane.  Mr.  Gilman  seems  to 
have  taken  his  son-in-law  into  partnership  for  a  while. 

These  business  letters  are  particularly  interesting  to 
illustrate  the  difficulties  of  doing  business  at  this  time 
and  the  irregularities  of  the  mail.  We  note  the  duplicate 
and  even  triplicate  letters  that  are  sent  by  different 
methods;  the  lack  of  facilities  for  transferring  money 
from  one  place  to  another ;  the  unreliability  of  the  aver- 
age man  they  met  in  business  life,  and  the  hopelessness 
of  trying  to  collect  debts  owing  to  many  state  laws  which 
protected  the  debtor. 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 


280  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Marietta  Decr  22d  1808  — 
My  Dear  Sir 

The  Western  mail  arrived  last  evening,  but  to  my  very 
great  disappointment,  no  Letter  for  me,  from  Lexing- 
ton. — 

I  mentioned  the  subject  of  a  loan  to  the  Directors  Yes- 
terday, and  found  them  all  willing  to  accede  to  your  pro- 
posals. Should  you  find  that  you  can  purchase  Tobacco 
with  our  Bank  Bills,  on  as  good  terms  as  by  Drafts  on 
Mr  Lewis,  the  Directors  I  think  will  be  glad  to  purchase, 
even  at  90  days  fight. — 

From  the  appearance  of  the  weather,  I  think  the  River 
will  be  high  enough  for  launching  on  Saturday  next. — 

Judge  H is  very  dilatory  about  the  Cordage.     For 

obvious  reasons  I  do  not  wish  to  prefs  him,  at  this  time. 
I  feel  very  confident  that  he  will  not  have  your  Hemp 
manufactored  in  time  for  the  Schooner,  unlefs  additional 
hands  are  employed  —  Should  you  conclude  not  to  return, 
before  you  descend  the  River,  I  wish  you  would  write  to 
him. — 

I  shall  depend  on  hearing  from  You,  immediately  after 
your  arrival  at  Lexington,  in  the  meantime  may  Heaven 
protect  you.  —  Your  faithful  friend  &  obl  serv* 

Benj  Ives  Gilman 
N  B.     Dear  little  Jane  is  as  usual,  perfectly  well.  —  If 
you  can  pofsibly  make  it  convenient,  I  hope  we  shall  fee 
you  again  before  you  descend  the  Mif sif sippi.  — 

208 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Lex- 
ington, Ky. 

Marietta  Decr  27th  1808  — 
My  Dear  Sir  — 

I  wrote  to  you  the  21st  ins1  pr  post,  but  presume  it  is 
yet  in  the  Office,  as  the  Mail  was  not  transmitted  to  Chilli- 
cothe  last  week.  —  I  am  yet  without  answers  from  Mr  T 
Hart  &  Mr  Jordan.  —  The  Mail  came  in  on  Saturday  last, 
from  the  Eastward;  no  intelligence  of  any  consequence. — 
The  Embargo  &  non-intercourse  system,  appears  to  be 
the  only  plan,  as  yet  adopted  by  the  Administration. 


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IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  281 

We  have  had  a  very  sudden  &  destructive  flood  since 
you  left  us.  —  The  River  rose  18  inches  higher  than  ever 
known  before.  —  The  water  was  above  the  key-hole  of 
your  Store  Door,  and  up  to  the  Windows  in  your  House. 
Through  the  exertions  of  Thomas  Peirce  &  Mr  Stone, 
your  goods  have  been  kept  free  from  any  material  dam- 
age.—  Our  houses  were  furrounded  &  both  Cellars  filld 
with  water.1 — fifteen  inches  more  would  have  covered 
the  whole  of  this  point.  —  The  damage  to  fences,  bridges, 
&c  &c  is  very  great  —  The  Schooner  floated  off  the  Stocks 
on  Saturday  Evening,  and  is  safely  moored.  —  All  busi- 
nefs  has  been  and  still  is  suspended,  as  the  water  is  still 
so  deep  in  almost  all  the  Streets,  as  to  admit  the  pafsage 
of  large  Boats.  — 

Dear  little  Jane  appears  to  grow  every  hour,  and  is 
perfectly  well.  You  must  have  had  a  tedious  jaunt  to 
Chillicothe. —  Benj '  Ives  Gilman 

Jany  7th  1809  12y2 

Mr  Dudley  Woodbridge  Jr 

Lexington 
Kentucky 

Mail.  Single  Sheet.  

Mr  Prentif  s  is  requested  to  place  this  in  Chilicothe 
Post  Office  — 

209 
Hon.  Dudley  Woodbridge  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr., 
Lexington,  Ky.,  with  letters  from  Joseph  S.  Lewis  &  Co. 

Duplicate 

Phil*  27th  Decr  1808 
Copy        Mr  Dudley  Woodbridge  Jr    Dr  Sir, 

Your  favr  of  14  Ins*  is  before  us,  and  we  are  glad  to  see 
you  were  so  soon  to  Set  out  for  Kentucky  to  purchase  the 
Tobacco  as  we  think  the  price  must  under  present  circum- 
stances be  very  low  &  we  think  will  well  afford  us  to  lay 
out  of  our  money  for  a  Year  at  the  end  of  which  time  we 
have  no  doubt  our  Trade  will  be  resumed  if  not  sooner  & 
Tobacco  does  not  depreciate  by  keeping  great  care  should 

1  Mr.  Gilman  built  a  house  next  his  own  for  his  father,  and  his  widowed 
mother  was  probably  living  in  it  at  this  time. 


282  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

be  taken  to  keep  it  dry,  in  going  clown  the  river  &  if  it 
should  get  wet  it  should  be  opened  at  New  Orleans  &  the 
wet  seperated  from  the  dry. — 

It  is  not  our  intention  to  send  our  vefsel  round  until 
our  navigation  opens  in  February  by  which  time  we  shall 
certainly  know  wheather  the  purchase  is  made  &  we  shall 
be  glad  to  have  frequent  advice  from  you  on  the  subject. 
We  thank  you  for  your  intention  of  giving  us  letters  to 
houses  in  Kentucky  after  your  arrival  their  —  You  will 
of  course  be  charged  with  Interest  upon  our  advances 
for  you  —  Hemp  still  holds  at  about  $300  and  nothing  but 
an  uncommon  supply  of  country  hemp  can  lower  it,  for 
none  can  come  from  abroad  we  hold  our  Rufsia  hemp 
at  400  Ds  &  by  the  last  accounts  from  England^  it  was  at 
$530  —  Insurance  can  be  done  here  down  the  river  with- 
out difficulty  and  we  think  there  would  in  case  of  lofs  be 
more  facility  in  a  Settlement  here  we  therefore  Should 
prefer  making  the  insurance  in  this  City  please  there- 
fore after  the  Shipment  to  let  us  know  from  whence  it 
is  made  in  what  kind  of  boats  &  the  State  of  the  river  all 
which  will  have  an  influence  on  the  premium  —  In  our 
last  we  ordered  the  investment  of  the  $1500  (the  am1  of  Mr 
Blennerhaf setts  draft)  in  Tobacco  on  our  Seperate  ac- 
count which  we  confirm  and  our  Brothers  &  ourselves 
wishing  to  have  a  Cargo  of  Tobacco  purchased  for  a  Ship 
we  propose  To  send  To  New  Orleans  for  it  and  to  let  her 
lay  until  the  Embargo  is  removed  we  request  you  will 
(after  the  purchase  of  the  200  Hhds  on  our  Joint  Ace*) 
purchase  as  much  in  addition  to  what  you  buy  with  the 
$1500  as  will  make  up  300  Hhds  say  in  all  500  Hhds.  Your 
drafts  will  of  course  meet  due  honor  &  we  hope  you  will 
succeed  in  selling  them  at  a  long  Sight,  you  will  have  the 
same  discreation  as  to  the  price  &c  as  already  given  you 
for  the  purchase  on  our  Joint  account  —  Our  object  in 
this  additional  order  has  in  some  measure  been  created 
by  the  circumstance  of  your  being  So  long  in  Kentucky 
which  will  enable  you  before  the  River  rises  to  compleat 
the  Whole  purchase  &  also  the  confidence  we  have  in  you 
&  our  desire  that  the  emolument  should  be  thrown  into 
your  hands.  The  Kentucky  tobacco  is  principally  wanted 
for  the  Spanish  Market  &  the  fols  description  of  the  qual- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  283 

ity  that  will  suit  best  will  be  of  service  to  you  in  the  pur- 
chase, it  should  be  of  a  fine  bright  Color  large  leaf  &  open 
well  &  be  of  such  a  temper  as  to  contract  a  good  deal  of 
Water  in  the  preperation  &  fabrick  of  it  into  Segars  — 
We  have  written  to  Mr  Blenh1  about  the  draft  for  $2000 
&  have  no  doubt  he  will  consent  to  the  acceptance  at  6 
Months  when  we  have  his  ansr  we  shall  communicate  it 
very  truly  we  are  your  friends  Joseph  S  Lewis  &  Co  — 
Copy. 

Phia  Feby  2d  1809 
Copy  Dudley  Woodbridge  Jr  Dear  Sir  Your  favr  of 
the  12th  of  Jan3'  from  Marietta  &  Copy  of  that  of  the  2 
Jany  from  Kentucky  only  reached  us  yesterday  the  orig- 
inal has  not  got  to  hand  nor  that  of  31st  Decr  with  the  Let- 
ter of  introduction  to  Mefs  Hart  Barker  &  Hart  which 
we  shall  be  glad  to  receive  —  We  wrote  you  on  the  27 
Decr  directed  to  Lexington  &  fearing  that  it  may  have 
miscarried  we  enclose  a  Copy  you  will  see  it  contains  an 
Order  for  250  Hhds  Tobacco  in  addition  to  what  you  have 
already  —  purchased  —  The  Ship  we  propose  to  send  to 
New  Orleans  will  not  be  ready  for  2  or  3  weeks  &  as  some 
accident  may  prevent  her  geting  there  we  think  you  had 
better  put  the  Tobacco  in  charge  of  Mefsrs  Amory  &  Cal- 
lendar  our  friends  at  New  Orleans  which  will  prevent  the 
necefsity  of  your  personal  attendance  at  that  place  so 
much  to  your  disadvantage  as  you  State  in  your  Letter  if 
our  Captain  should  be  there  in  time  we  shall  direct  him 
to  attend  to  the  businefs  which  will  save  a  Commifsion 
perhaps  some  person  whom  you  can  depend  on  may  be 
going  down  who  will  at  a  small  charge  attend  to  it  the 
greatest  difficulty  is  that  if  our  vef  sel  should  not  be  there 
some  Competant  person  ought  to  attend  to  the  businefs 
of  shipping  the  Tobacco  here  —  We  are  well  satisfied 
with  the  terms  on  which  you  have  purchased  the  Tobacco 
&  hope  it  will  be  of  the  best  quality  —  The  proportion  of 
Yarns  in  your  Schooner  Cargo  we  think  is  rather  too 
large  in  times  of  brisk  businefs  they  do  very  well  but  now 
the  rope  makers  prefer  buying  hemp  to  keep  their  boys  & 
people  employed  the  price  of  White  Yarns  is  always  reg- 
ulated by  that  of  Tared  Cordage  here  which  at  present  is 
10  @  20  drs  pr  C1  &  if  any  sales  are  made  we  expect  370 


284  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 


390  Dols  could  be  had  for  your  Yarns  —  Kentucky 
Hemp  will  bring  290  @  300  Ds  pr  Ton  — Lead  is  worth 
8y2  @  9  Ds  pr  112lb  &  the  freight  from  N.  Orleans  is  little 
or^nothing  as  vefsels  carrying  Cotton  want  it  for  ballast. 
We  should  recommend  your  putting  it  into  your  Schooner 
in  preference  to  taking  it  on  freight.  —  Salt  Petre  _  is 
worth  from  25  @  40  Cents  according  to  quality  on  which 
so  much  depends,  the  Kentucky  will  generally  average 
25  @  30  Cents.  We  should  have  no  objection  to  Join  you 
in  purchase  of  fifteen  or  Twenty  tons  but  it  will  not  be 
convenient  to  us  to  furnish  all  the  Funds  at  this  Time  as 
we  are  loaded  with  a  great  quantity  of  goods  which  can- 
not be  disposed  of.  We  will  accept  your  Bills  for  one 
half  at  as  long  sight  as  you  can  pais  them,  and  you  can 
draw  for  2/3ds  of  your  Share  on  its  arrival  here  —  On  en- 
quiry we  find  their  is  no  danger  of  Hemp  taking  Fire 
unlefs  very  dirty  &  badly  cured  &  stowed  in  large  Bales  — 
Insurance  against  Fire  on  the  Schooner  cannot  be  done 
here  as  our  Offices  except  one  do  not  take  risques  out  of 
the  State  &  that  one  declines  it  — At  present  Insurance 
from  Louisville  to  Phia  can  probably  be  affected  at  Nine 
pr  Cent  &  from  New  Orleans  only  4  @  5  pr  Cent  —  A 
change  in  our  political  Situation  would  increase  the  lat- 
ter premium  —  the  order  for  Sails  &  Sheeves  &  pins  shall 
be  immediately  attended  to,  we  shall  send  in  this  Letter 
if  pofsible  an  estimate  of  the  Am1  of  the  Sails,  which  we 
trust  you  are  aware  will  cost  a  very  heavy  sum  owing  To 
the  high  price  of  Sail  Duck,  you  may  be  afsured  of  our 
strict  attention  to  buy  on  the  best  terms  — Cap1  Boyle 
being  still  disengaged  we  have  engaged  him  to  proceed 
immediately  to  Louisville  to  take  charge  of  the  Schooner 
at  Forty  five  Dollars  pr  Month  to  commence  on  his  arrival 
their  &  forty  five  Dols  to  be  allowed  for  his  expences  from 
here  to  Louisville  —  By  next  post  we  shall  communicate 
the  estimate  of  the  Cost  of  the  Sails  &  also  inform  you 
wheather  we  will  take  a  concern  in  the  Schooner  &  her 
Cargo  &  upon  what  terms  we  are  your  Friends  Joseph 
S.  Lewis  &  C°  — P.S.  It  will  be  necefsary  in  making  the 
Sails  to  be  informed  of  the  Depth  each  Mast  will  be 
buried  in  the  Hold  —  the  distance  from  the  Foremast  To 
the  Stern  and  between  the  foremast  &  Mainmast,  please 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  285 

also  to  mention  the  length  of  the  Schooner  on  Deck    As 
above  Jos.  S.  Lewis  &  C° 

Copy 
Copy.  Phia  Feby  7th  1809.  Mr  Dudley  Woodbridge  Jr 
Dr  Sr  Since  writing  ours  of  2  Ins1  we  have  recd  your  favr 
of  18  Jany  as  well  as  that  of  31  Decr  &  2d  Jany  with  a  Copy 
of  your  agreement  for  the  Tobacco  we  hope  our  Letter 
of  27  Decr  which  we  sent  to  Lexington  will  reach  you  in 
time  to  enable  you  to  contract  for  250  Hhds  more  at  the 
same  favourable  rate,  we  trust  however  it  can  be  had  at  a 
price  not  exceeding  four  Dollars  Pr  hundred  delivered  at 
New  Orleans  which  you  will  understand  to  be  our  lim- 
its—  Our  last  stated  to  you  the  rate  at  which  Insurance 
can  be  affected  &  if  we  Shortly  receive  your  Orders  or 
those  of  Mr  Gilman  we  do  not  doubt  getting  the  Schooner 
&  her  Cargo  written  at  the  terms  then  quoated. — 

The  Canvas  being  at  very  high  prices  we  have  only 
ordered  as  many  Sails  as  cannot  be  dispensed  with  & 
which  Cap1  Boyle  thinks  will  be  enough  Viz  A  Main  Sail 
Foresail  Foretopsail  Jib  &  flying  Jib  which  will  require 

14  pieces  Ruf  sia  Duck  @  40  ds 560 

5  pieces  Ravens  Duck     24 120 

Making,  Twine  &c  about 90—770 Ds 

the  small  articles  of  Sheves  &  Pins  will  Cost  $15.00 

Cap1  Boyle  leaves  here  tomorrow  morning.  We  charge 
you  Ninety  Dollars  advanced  him  on  Ace*  —  We  have  a 
favorable  opinion  of  this  Adventure  by  the  Belle,  &  have 
no  objections  to  take  One  third  concern  in  vefsell  &  cargo 
provided  it  will  suit  you  To  take  pay1  in  Bills  at  90  &  120 
days  date  from  the  time  She  leaves  New  Orleans  &  that 
you  pay  us  a  Commifsion  of  2y2  pr  C*  as  usual  on  making 
the  Sales  of  Vefsel  &  Cargo  Say  on  your  part  We  are 
your  Friends  Jos.  S.  Lewis  &  C°  —  Copy 

Marietta  27th  Feby  1809  ' 
Dr  Child 

The  foregoing  are  Copys  of  Three  Letters  from  Mr 
Lewis  which  Mr  Gilman  desired  me  to  Copy  &  send  down 
by  Water  if  Oppy  presented  he  would  Send  by  post  a 
Copy  —  when  this  will  reach  you  is  uncertain  as  there  are 
few  or  no  Boats  pafsing  —  We  have  heard  nothing  fur- 
ther respecting  the  Embargo,  it  is  sayd  it  is  to  be  taken 


286  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

off  the  4th  of  March  but  they  talk  of  Letters  of  Marque, 
reprisals  &c  —  I  fear  if  taken  off  Trade  will  be  so 
Shackled,  that  the  repeal  of  the  Embargo  Law  will  an- 
swer no  Salutary  purpose  —  Our  Family  are  well,  noth- 
ing new  of  importance  has  Transpired  Since  you  left 
hej-e  —  wm  has  returned  from  the  Afsembly  —  accom- 
panied with  your  Uncle  Elijh  &  Thomas  Backus. 

D.  Woodbridge 

210 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Lexing- 
ton, Ky.,  with  letters  from  Judge  Meigs  and  J.  S.  Lewis 

&Co. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Judge  Meigs  dated  Feby  8th 
"Dear  Sir 

Upon  the  rec1  of  yours  I  immediately  applied  to  Secre- 
tary Smith,  who  discovered  every  desire  to  accommodate 
You,  but  upon  enquiry  found  that  his  navy  Agent  in  Ken- 
tucky had  purchased  the  requisite  quantity.  I  am  sorry 
that  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  serve  you  in  the  mode  you 
wished.  I  shall  at  all  times  be  disposed  to  do  so,  &  you 
may  freely  write  me  on  any  subject  interesting  to  your- 
self &  for  the  accomplishment  of  which  I  can  any  way 
afsist  you.  The  greatest  contrariety  of  opinion  prevails 
in  the  Congrefs,  arising  from  a  sincere  desire  to  preserve 
the  peace  of  the  Union  —  and  yet  differing  in  the  mode. 
No  fystem  has  yet  been  adopted,  but  I  think  that  the  Em- 
bargo will  be  raised  on  the  4th  of  March  next  &  a  non- 
intercourse  with  Great  Britain  &  France  be  fubstituted. 
I  think  you  will  be  able  early  in  the  spring  to  take  your 
Hemp  to  the  Atlantic  States  &  obtain  a  greater  price  than 
you  could  get  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  —  If  any 
Act  of  the  Government  shall  be  of  any  importance  (in 
my  opinion)  to  your  commercial  operations  I  will  write 
you."  — 


Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Joseph  S  Lewis  &  C°  dated 

Philad  2d  Feby  1809  — 
[Duplicate  of  the  letter  of  Feb.  2d  above  omitted] 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  287 

Marietta  March  3d  1809 
My  Dear  Sir 

The  Letters  of  which  the  foregoing  are  copies  came  to 
hand  last  week  &  I  expected  to  have  found  an  oppertunity 
to  have  forwarded  a  Letter  by  Water,  but  have  been  dis- 
appointed. We  have  now  two  mails  due,  which  are  ex- 
pected this  evening.  The  offer  for  %  of  the  Vefsel  & 
Cargo,  made  by  Mr  Lewis,  is  too  favourable  to  him  & 
cannot,  on  my  part  be  acceded  to.  I  shall  endeavour  to 
purchase  all  the  Hemp  I  pofsibly  can  (on  our  joint  ac- 
count) to  forward  by  land  to  Philad,  in  order  that  the 
objection  to  the  large  quantity  of  yarns,  may  in  some 
measure  be  obviated.  I  think  ten  tons  may  be  pur- 
chased. I  shall  not  write  to  Mr  Lewis  on  the  subject  of 
Insurance  until,  I  see  or  hear  from  you.  Cap1  Boyle  is 
doubtlefs  with  the  Schooner  before  this,  as  he  pafs'd  here 
the  16th  ult.  I  have  not  heard  of  the  Schooner  since  she 
pafs'd  Gallipolis — 

If  Lead  can  be  had  at  Louisville  at  5  dols  I  think  we 
had  best  purchase  10  or  15  Tons.  Mr  E  Backus  (who  is 
now  here  with  his  fon)  says  that  Lead  could  be  purchased 
at  Genevieve  in  January  at  3  5%oo  — 

Of  our  political  affairs  we  still  remain  in  doubt  —  It  is 
however  pretty  well  ascertained  that  the  present  Con- 
grefs  will  not  adopt  any  measure  more  hostile  than  Non- 
Intercourse  with  the  Belligerents.  It  is  my  present  in- 
tention to  leave  home  in  time  to  be  at  Lexington  the  first 
day  of  April  — 

Within  the  last  fifteen  days  severe  colds  have  been  very 
prevalent  in  Town  &  many  persons  very  sick.  Our  dear 
little  Jane  has  been  severely  affected,  &  for  two  days  I 
was  not  without  serious  apprehensions  for  her  safety  — 
She  is  now  nearly  recovered.  Winthrop,  Chandler  & 
Arthur  were  all  taken  very  violently,  but  now  conva- 
lescent. My  Dear  Mother  is  very  unwell,  with  the  same 
disorder,  and  I  consider  her  situation  as  extremely  crit- 
ical. Should  she  not  grow  better  it  will  be  impofsible 
for  me  to  leave  home.  I  trust  however,  that  thro'  favour 
of  divine  Providence,  a  Life  so  necefsary  to  my  happi- 
nefs,  will  yet  be  spared. 

Should  it  appear  that  my  Son  Joseph  cannot  be  of  any 


288  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Service  in  descending  the  River:  and  if  he  discover  an 
inclination  to  return  from  the  Falls,  I  will  thank  you  to 
furnish  him  with  Funds  to  purchase  a  Horse. 

Your  friends  are  all  well  —  William  has  return 'd  from 
Chillicothe 1  apparently  much  disgusted  with  his  Brother 
Legislators. — 

With  esteem,  I  remain  always  your  fincere  friend 

Benj  Ives  Gilman 

211 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 

Marietta  March  10th  1809 
My  Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  to  You  the  26th  ull  &  enclosed  Mr  Gallatins 
Letter,  also  the  3d  ins1  with  copies  of  two  Letters  from 
Joseph  S  Lewis  &  C°  &  one  from  Judge  Meigs:  —  both 
were  forwarded  pr  Post. —  On  Wednesday  last  I  recd 
Your  favours,  dated  at  Limestone  18th  uP  and  Lexington 
20th  ul\ — This  day  Mr  Whitney  arrived  and  handed  me 
Yours  of  the  1st  ins1  The  Letter  you  mention,  dated  26th 
ull  has  not  been  received. —  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  it 
will  be  best  for  us  to  send  our  Yarns  &  Hemp  over  Land 
&  purchase  a  Cargo  of  Tobacco. —  The  reason,  in  favour 
of  this  alteration  of  our  plan,  which  has  the  greatest 
weight  on  my  mind,  is  the  delay  in  the  Transportation  of 
the  Hemp  &  Yarns  from  Lexington. —  According  to  your 
description  of  the  roads,  I  fear  the  Cargo  could  not  be 
forwarded  to  Louisville  in  any  reasonable  time. —  If  the 
Schooner  should  be  delayed  in  the  Mifsifsippi,  for  the 
Season,  it  would  be  attended  with  most  ruinous  conse- 
quences.— 

I  presume  a  Cargo  of  Tobacco  could  be  procured  with- 
out much  delay,  &  that  we  should  not  meet  with  difficulty 
in  obtaining  funds. — 

The  Hemp  &  Yarns  will  bear  the  transportation  by 
Land,  and  leave  a  decent  profit. —  I  give  my  opinion  free- 
ly and  at  the  same  time  afsure  you  that  I  shall  be  per- 

i  The  capital  of  Ohio  at  this  time. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  289 

fectly  satisfied  with  your  determination,  whether  it  coin- 
cides with  mine  or  not. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  af sure  you  that  dear  little  Jane 
is  perfectly  recovered  from  her  indisposition. —  My 
Mother  is  a  little  better.  It  will  not  cause  any  alteration 
in  the  determination  of  the  Directors  of  the  Bank  (as 
relates  to  our  Loan)  if  all  the  Paper  comes  back  in  one 
week.— I  am  confident  they  will  adhere  to  the  bargain, 
altho'  they  may  be  much  disappointed  in  the  circulation 
of  their  paper. — 

I  shall  write  to  Gen1  Findlay  by  this  days  Mail,  &  re- 
quest an  answer  directed  to  me  in  Lexington. —  Should 
such  a  letter  arrive  at  the  Post  Office,  You  will  please  to 
open  it. —  From  the  conversation  I  had  with  him  last 
Summer  I  had  every  reason  to  suppose  that  he  would 
take  our  Notes. — 

I  am  apprehensive  that  I  shall  not  reach  Lexington 
until  the  8th  or  10th  of  Ap1  — From  Mr  Harts  known  lib- 
erality, I  presume  he  would  not  take  any  advantage  of  the 
delay. —  If  the  Hemp  &  Yarns  are  sent  over-land  to  Philad 
I  suppose  we  should  have  to  pay  J.  S.  L  &  C°  2y2  pr  C* 
Commif sion.—  In  that  case,  I  should  be  glad  to  stipulate 
that  the  property  should  not  be  sold,  without  our  consent, 
&  that  we  should  have  liberty  to  draw  on  him  at  90/ds  for 
73ds  the  am0  whenever  the  Yarns  left  Pittsburgh. — 

For  reasons  that  I  will  give  you  when  we  meet,  I  think 
I  shall  not  take  the  money  out  of  the  Bank  until  the  first 
day  of  April. — 

Our  last  letters  from  Washington  are  under  date  of  24 
ur  My  friend  Col°  T wrote  me  on  that  day  as  fol- 
lows "Even  to  this  day  it  cannot  be  determined  whether 
the  Embargo  is  to  be  repealed  or  not. —  My  belief  is  that 
the  Bill  will  be  so  fetter 'd  with  other  provisions  that  we 
shall  not  be  able  to  vote  for  it,  which  probably  is  the  wish 
of  the  Majority  — I  think  the  War  party  cannot  carry 
their  scheme  into  effect  at  any  rate."  — 

We  are  anxiously  looking  for  a  mail  which  is  due  this 
evening  —  I  wrote  you  a  hasty  line  this  day,  &  forwarded 
it  to  Zanesville  —  I  shall  write  again  tomorrow,  if  the 
mail  comes  in  this  Evening. 

Your  faithful  friend  Benj  Ives  Gilman 
N  B.     Your  friends  are  all  well  — 


290  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

212 
Benj.  Ives  Oilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 

Marietta  March  11  1809  — 

Dear  Sir 

Mr.  Whitney  arrived  yesterday  &  handed  me  Your  Let- 
ter dated  the  1st  ins1  — By  the  last  Western  mail  your 
other  favours,— dated  Limestone  18th  ul'  &  Lexington 
21st  ull  came  to  hand.— I  feel  great  anxiety  at  the  pros- 
pect of  so  long  a  delay  of  the  Schooner  at  the  falls,  as  will 
be  required  from  the  very  bad  state  of  the  roads. —  Would 
it  not  be  best  to  purchase  Tobacco,  if  to  be  had,  at  Louis- 
ville, and  fill  up  the  Vef sel ;  and  let  our  Yarns  &  Hemp 
pafs  over-land  to  Philadelphia?     Pofsibly  You  can  pur- 
chase the  Tobacco  of  Mr  Hart,  to  make  payment  in  May ; 
by  which  time  we  could  command  the  necefsary  funds. — 
A  delay  in  the  Mifsifsippi  for  a  season,  with  a  Cargo  of 
Hemp  &  Yarns,  would  be  attended  with  ruinous  conse- 
quences.—  Mr  Cromwell  did  not  come  through  this  Town. 
It  is  probable  that  he  exchanged  his  notes  at  Mr  Van- 
hornes  Office.     I  wrote  you  a  line  the  26th  ull  enclosing 
Mr  Gallatins  Letter.     The  3d  ins*  I  forwarded  pr  Post  a 
Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Judge  Meigs  &  of  two  from  Jos. 
S.  Lewis  &  C°  — Yesterday  I  wrote  pr.  Mail  &  also  for- 
warded a  line  to  Springfield,  to  be  forwarded  to  you  from 
that  Post  Office.— The  Post  came  in  last  evening  from 
the  Eastward,  but  without  any  mail.— Non-Intercourse 
with  France  and  England  and  a  repeal  of  the  Embargo  is 
expected. —  Dear  little  Jane  has  recovered  from  her  cold. 
My  Mother  is  better,  but  not  without  some  alarming 
symptoms. —  For   reasons  that  will  be  given  when  we 
meet,  I  probably  shall  not  take  out  our  money  until  the 
first  day  of  April.— I  wrote  to  Gen1  Findlay  this  day  & 
requested  him  to  say  whether  he  did  not  give  me  reason 
to  suppose  he  would  take  our  paper  —  His  answer  will  be 
directed  to  me  at  Lexington,  should  you  find  it  in  the 
Post  Office,  You  will  please  to  open  it  and  make  such  use 
of  it  as  you  think  proper. — 

This  letter  is  to  be  forwarded  by  a  Boat  to  Limestone, 
and  as  it  is  very  uncertain  whether  it  will  ever  reach  you, 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  291 

I  shall  only  add  my  best  wishes  for  your  health  &  Hap- 
piness —  Benj  Ives  Gilman 

213 
Benj,  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 

Marietta  March  17th  1809 

My  Dear  Sir/ 

The  Post  Rider  came  in  this  day  with  two  mails  & 
among  other  Letters  received,  one  was  from  Mr  Lewis  a 
Copy  of  which  is  enclosed.— I  have  deemed  the  contents 
of  this  Letter  of  so  much  importance,  as  to  forward  the 
Copy  by  an  Exprefs,  who  I  hope  will  be  with  you  on  tues- 
day  next,  before  noon.— Your  favours  of  the  26th  ull  3d  & 
8th  ins1  all  came  to  hand  on  Wednesday  last— If  you 
have  not  disposed  of  the  Contract  for  Hemp  &  Yarns  be- 
fore this  arrives ;  You  will  no  doubt  think  it  best  to  hold 
to  that  bargain,  and  my  vote  would  be  in  favour  of  send- 
ing the  whole  overland,  with  all  pofsible  dispatch  — 
Should  you  have  disposed  of  my  half  of  the  Schooner  I 
wish  you  to  purchase,  if  pofsible,  Hemp,  Yarns  or  To- 
bacco as  you  may  think  will  answer  best. —  I  am  under 
some  apprehensions  that  you  cannot  purchase  on  the 
same  Credit  which  I  suppose  you  have  given  Mr  Hart,  if 
the  Schooner  is  sold.— Notwithstanding  you  mention  that 
it  will  be  unnecefsary  to  forward  any  money  until  I  hear 
from  you  again :  I  believe  I  shall  take  out  my  portion  of 
the  money  in  Bank,  (which  is  made  payable  to  Mr  Hart) 
and  start  for  Kentucky  the  first  of  April,  in  the  hope  of 
making  more  than  the  Interest.  In  a  Letter  this  day 
recd  I  am  requested  to  purchase  "from  one  hundred  to 
two  hundred  hogsheads  of  good  Tobacco"  provided  it 
can  be  obtained  for  a  price  not  exceeding  three  Dollars 
&  fifty  Cents,  delivered  in  good  order  at  New  Orleans  — 
In  the  event  of  a  purchase  I  am  authorized  to  draw  on 
Tallmadge,  Smith  &  C°  Merchants  New  York.— Bills  at 
Sixty  to  One  hundred  &  twenty  days  fight.— If  you  can 
purchase  this  quantity  of  Mr  Hart,  within  the  limits,  with- 
out interfering  with  your  other  engagements,  I  should  be 
well  pleased  &  will  give  you  the  Commif  sion,  which  would 


292  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

be  allowed  to  me  for  transacting  the  businef s. —  I  am  not 
to  be  interested  in  any  manner  whatever  in  this  purchase. 

If  you  have  fold  one  half  of  the  Schooner,  perhaps  it 
may  not  be  necefsary  for  you  to  go  down  the  River,  more 
particularly  as  Mr  Hart  has  a  house  in  New  Orleans, —  I 
hope  Joseph  will  consent  to  return  from  Louisville,  as  he 
cannot  be  of  much  benefit  on  Board.  At  all  events,  I 
would  have  him  return,  if  you  conclude  not  to  go  down 
in  the  Belle. —  The  uncertainty  of  the  conveyance  pr  mail, 
mentioned  in  your  Letters,  has  occasioned  my  sending 
this  by  Exprefs,  &  I  hope  you  will  approve  of  the  meas- 
ure.—  You  will  herewith  receive  a  file  of  the  National 
Intelligencer,  conts  the  latest  information  from  Washing- 
ton City  —  In  a  Letter  from  Col0  Tallmadge  he  mentions 
that  Flour  had  risen  &  Cotton  &  Tobacco  would  undoubt- 
edly experience  an  advance,  in  consequence  of  the  repeal 
of  the  Embargo  —  I  am  truly  sorry  that  you  should  find 
yourself  in  an  unpleasant  situation  in  consequence  of 
Gen1  Findlays  having  refused  our  Notes. —  I  wrote  to  the 
G-eneral  (as  mentioned  in  my  last)  and  hope  you  are  be- 
fore this  time  in  pofsefsion  of  his  answer. —  A  more  pos- 
itive agreement  could  not  be  made  than  I  supposed  I  had 
made  with  him,  &  the  only  difficulty  he  started,  was  ob- 
viated by  a  fpecial  resolution  of  the  President  &  Direc- 
tors—  I  have  no  expectation  that  any  arrangement  can 
be  made  with  the  Chillicothe  Bank  until  they  find,  by 
experience,  that  it  will  be  for  their  interest  to  take  our 
paper. —  In  consequence  of  a  constant  fuccefsion  of  rains, 
no  hemp  has  been  broken  out  in  this  quarter.  I  fear  that 
it  will  rise  —  Holden  offerd  a  person  in  Your  Store  6*4 
dols  P  Cwt  —  In  the  management  of  our  present  Busi- 
nefs,  I  hope  you  will  be  guided  foley  by  your  Own  judg- 
ment, &  fo  far  as  I  am  concerned,  You  may  rest  afsured 
that  I  shall  be  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  result. — 

Dear  little  Jane  has  perfectly  recovered  from  her  in- 
disposition &  is  not  alter 'd  in  any  way  excepting  by  the 
lofs  of  flesh. —  My  good  mother  is  much  better. —  Your 
friends  are  all  well. — 

I  wrote  three  Letters  last  week,  one  forwarded  by  the 
Mail,  one  by  a  Boat  &  the  other  was  fent  to  Zanesville  — 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  293 

I  shall  write  again  tomorrow,  by  Mr  Seth  W  Nye,  who 
will  descend  the  River  in  a  Keel  Boat. 

Your  faithful  friend 

Benja  Ives  Gilman 
N  B.     It  may  be  unnecefsary  for  me  to  say  that  I  would 
join  you  in  any  new  purchase  of  Hemp  or  Yarns,  to  an 
amount  not  exceeding  ten  thousand  Dollars,  provided  we 
could  pay  in  the  paper  of  this  Bank  — 

214 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Frank- 
fort, Ky. 

Friday  17  Mar  1809 
10  OClock  P  M  — 

My  Dr  Sir 

I  wrote  to  you  this  morning  &  sent  Robert  with  the 
Letter  to  the  Post  Office  — &  the  Post  Rider  has  this 
moment  crofsed  the  River  of  course  I  suppose  the  line 
fent  by  Rob4  is  not  in  the  Mail — 

On  Wednesday  last  I  recd  your  favours  of  the  26th  uT 
3d  &  8  ins1  —  Tomorrow  I  shall  write  by  S.  W.  Nye  who 
descends  the  River  in  a  Keel  Boat — 

Little  Jane  is  perfectly  well  &  my  Dear  Mother  much 
better  —  The  post  is  waiting  for  this  scrawl  —  Yours  &c 

B.  I.  Gilman 

Athens  0 

March  21ft  21 

Forwarded  8 

Lexington  — 

Apr  3  29 

Kentucky 

Mr  Dudley  Woodbridge  Junr 
Lexington 
Frankfort  Kentucky 

Mail 

215 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr. 

Copy  Philad  4  March  1809 

DrSir 

Since  our  last  dated  7th  ull  we  have  none  of  your 


294  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

favours.  As  it  may  be  agreeable  to  you  to  know  the  state 
of  our  market  for  Hemp  &  Cordage  we  write  this  Letter. 
American  Hemp  has  been  purchased  eagerly  at  350  @ 
375  ds  &  Rufsia  has  been  sold  in  New  York  at  475  ds— 
here  500  ds  pr  Ton  is  asked.— Cordage  is  at  25  d3  pr 
Cw*  —  &  we  expect  your  yarns  will  produce  23  @  24  d3 
which  will  afford  a  handsome  profit. —  Tobacco  Ken- 
tucky, will  command  6  to  7  ds  and  by  the  time  our  parcel 
arrives  here,  we  expect  will  command  7y2  &  perhaps 

8ds  — 

The  articles  for  your  Schooner  are  all  ready  and  will 
go  by  the  first  oppertunity,  to  the  care  of  our  friends 
Mefsrs  Amory  Callender  &  C°  — 

Your  friends  J.  S.  L.  &  C° 
Marietta  18  March  1809  — 

Dr  Sir, 

I  have  forwarded  a  Copy,  fimilar  to  the  above,  by  a 
special  Mefsenger  Sam1  McClintock,  to  Lexington  —  An- 
other will  this  day  be  lent  to  Limestone,  by  S.  W.  Nye,  & 
this  is  fent  under  cover  to  Joseph. —  Referring  to  my  Let- 
ter by  McClintock,  I  remain  yours  &c 

Benjn  Ives  Gilman 

216 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr. 

Marietta  March  18th  1809 
My  Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  to  you  yesterday,  &  dispatch 'd  an  Exprefs,  who 
will  be  with  you  (I  trust)  on  tuesday  next  — I  have  en- 
counter 'd  this  expense,  in  consequence  of  the  information 
in  your  favour  of  the  26th  uP,  that  it  would  not  answer  to 
trust  to  the  mail  in  conveying  any  information  of  import- 
ance.—  I  hope  the  intelligence  will  enable  you  to  save,  at 
least  as  much  as  the  expense  of  conveying  it. —  As  it  is 
pofsible  that  my  mefsenger  (Sam1  McClintock)  may  not 
reach  you,  I  again  Copy  the  Letter  recd  yesterday  from 
J.  S.  L.  &  C°  dated  the  4th  ins*  — 

[Duplicate  letter  omitted.] 

This  will  be  forwarded  by  S.  W.  Nye  who  will  be  re- 
quested to  place  it  in  the  Post  Office  at  Maysville  — 

Benjamin  Ives  Gilman 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  295 

217 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Lexington,  Ky. 

Louisville  March  20th  1809.— 

Dear  Sir. 

The  roads  are  so  extremely  bad,  that  there  is  now  but 
very  little  tobacco  brought  in.  The  road  to  the  lower 
landing  is  in  such  a  condition  that  it  is  impof  sible  to  per- 
swade  any  of  them  to  deliver  their  tobacco  at  that  ware- 
house. 

When  I  came  up  on  f riday  last,  there  were  two  men  in 
town  who  had  one  hogshead  of  tobacco  each,  for  sale ;  one 
of  which  had  just  been  inspected,  the  other  was  to  be  in, 
the  next  day.     The  man  whose  tobacco  had  had  just  been 
inspected ;  offered  it  to  me  at  13/6  but  would  not  remove 
it  down  to  Mr  Berthoud's  ware-house.     The  other  person 
offered  to  take,  when  his  waggon  came  in,  both  hogsheads 
down,  if  I  would  give  him  15/.— for  his  tobacco.     The 
gentleman  who  superintends  Mr  Prathers  businefs,  told 
me  that  if  they  would  deduct  1.25  — from  the  amount  of 
the  two  hogsheads,  for  which  sum  I  could  get  them  taken 
down,  he  thought  I  had  better  take  them.     I  accordingly 
made  them  that  offer,  but  they  refused  to  make  any  de- 
duction, and  left  Town,  on  Saturday  morning.     On  sun- 
day  evening  the  waggoner  came  in  with  the  other  hogs- 
head; he  stoped  at  Mr  Gwathmey's  and  I  made  him  the 
same  offer  which  he  then  refused.     On  monday  morning 
I  went  up  to  the  ware-house ;  after  the  tobacco  had  been 
inspected,  and  he  found  that  I  would  not  take  it  upon  any 
other  terms,  and  he  found  that  I  would  not  take  it  upon 
any  other  terms,  he  agreed  to  let  me  have  the  two  hogs- 
heads at  13/  pr  Cwl  neet,  and  deduct  1.25  for  the  carriage 
to  the  lower  landing.    I  accordingly  took  them,  and  de- 
posited the  notes  with  Mr  Prather. 

If  I  was  right  in  so  doing,  you  will  please  to  inform  me 
by  return  of  mail ;  so  that  if  I  find  it  impof  sible  to  get  any 
delivered  at  the  lower-landing;  I  may  purchase  some 
more  in  the  same  manner. 

In  haste,  Your's  affectionately 

Joseph  Gilman. 


296  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

218 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Louisville, 

Ky. 

Louisville  April  6th  1809 

Dear  Sir. 

As  the  water  is  now  upon  the  rise ;  Cap1  Boyle  intends 
leaveing  Shipping-Port,  early  to-morrow  morning — . 
He  has  engaged  a  pilot  to  go  down  with  us,  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Ohio. —  But  expects  you  to  get  a  person  to  pilot  us 
down  the  Mifsifsippi. —  He,  also,  made  out  a  memoran- 
dum, of  the  articles  that  would  he  wanting  for  the 
Schooner ;  all  of  which  I  have  procured  except,  four  bar- 
rells  of  pork —  (he  says  it  will  take  one  barrel!  to  last  us 
to  New-Orleans;  so  that  if  you  think  it  best,  the  other 
three  barrells  can  be  bought  there.) — 5  gallons  of  mo- 
lafses —  and  30  lbs  of  butter. —  He  has  since  mentioned, 
that  there  will  be  2  gallons  of  liquor,  wanting  for  the 
cabin,  [sic].  The  butter,  Mr  Donaldson,  (Mr  Gwathmey's 
bar-keeper.)  told  me,  he  would  have  by  the  time  that 
you  could  get  here.  There  is  also,  one  dozen  of  Chick- 
ings  wanting  to  make  out  our  compliment;  which  Mr 
Donaldson  was  to  furnish.  I  have  settled  all  the  bills 
against  the  Schooner;  except  Mr  Prathers — .  On  the 
28th  of  last  month  Cap1  Boyle  &  the  two  seamen  had  a 
sever  quarrel;  they  then  wished  to  see  you,  to  get  their 
immediate  discharge ;  but,  have  not  since,  said  any  thing 
about  it. —  Enclosed,  you  have  a  manifest;  which  was 
given  me  by  the  inspector  of  tobacco. — 

Cap'  Boyle  informs  me,  that  he  is  to  give  his  pilot  $25. 
You  will  be  good  enough  to  forward  the  enclosed  letter, 
to  my  Father.  I  shall  be  very  much  obliged  to  you,  if 
you  would  take  the  trouble  to  call  at  the  post-office,  and 
take  out  any  papers,  or  letters,  that  may  be  there  for  me. 
In  haste  Yours  affectionately 

Joseph  Gilman. 

219 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman. 

Marietta  Decr  6th  1809. 
Dear  Sir 

Your  favours  of  the  10th  &  12th  of  September  have 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  297 

been  duly  received  &  I  intended  that  this  answer  should 
have  met  you  at  Washington,  but  have  delayed  it  a  few 
days  in  order  to  receive  information  from  a  distant  part 
of  the  State,  respecting  the  land  of  Jn°  Coates. —  of  the 
section  that  he  owned  only  five  hundred  acres  remain,  the 
other  part  having  been  sold  for  taxes. —  I  have  directed  a 
person  at  Zanesville  to  purchase,  provided  it  is  offered  for 
sale  for  taxes  this  year. —  I  have  also  been  informed  that 
a  writ  of  attachment  has  been  ifsued  &  this  land  taken. 
By  the  attachment  Law  of  this  State,  all  Creditors,  who 
present  their  claims  within  one  year,  are  entitled  to  a 
dividend  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  their  claims. — 
I  have  made  diligent  enquiry  for  the  person  of  John 
Coates  but  cannot  hear  any  thing  of  him,  &  presume  he 
has  taken  fome  other  course. — 

On  the  subject  of  the  land,  which  ought  to  have  been 
paid  for  long  since,  I  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  give 
you  more  agreeable  intelligence. —  You  have  heretofore 
been  informed,  Sir,  of  the  sale  I  made  of  a  part  of  the 
land,  amounting  to  three  thousand  dollars,  the  whole  of 
which  was  to  have  been  paid  to  me  before  this  time,  but 
not  one  cent  have  I  received. —  the  purchaser  built  a  Saw 
&  Grist  mill  &  had  a  good  prospect,  when  an  unusual  flood 
came  &  swept  away  the  whole  of  the  Dam.  The  improve- 
ments that  have  been  made  on  the  land  are  said  to  amount 
to  more  than  $2500. —  The  debt  is  secured  to  me  by  a 
mortgage. —  By  the  provisions  of  a  Law  pafsed  during 
the  continuance  of  the  Embargo,  property  cannot  be  fold 
in  this  State,  unlefs  it  will  bring  a  portion  of  its  ap- 
praised value;  of  course  debts  of  any  magnitude  cannot 
be  collected  during  the  continuance  of  the  Law. —  I  am 
perfectly  willing  to  renew  the  Notes  &  if  you  will  fend 
on  a  Blank  it  shall  be  executed  &  returned. —  It  will  occa- 
sion my  paying  compound  interest,  but  of  this  I  have  no 
right  to  complain. —  On  the  notes  which  I  have  received 
in  payment  for  all  Land  sold  I  can  only  obtain  simple  in- 
terest, as  the  mortgages  are  predicated  on  the  notes,  & 
if  the  latter  should  be  altered,  the  former  would  be  of 
no  avail. 

I  am  fully  sensible,  Sir,  of  the  very  great  indulgence 
you  have  shewn  me,  &  it  is  a  severe  mortification  to  me, 
to  be  under  the  necefsity  of  asking  further  favour.    Be- 


298  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

lieving  it  to  be  impracticable  to  sell  the  whole,  without  a 
heavy  lofs,  for  prompt  pay,  &  being  very  desirous  that 
you  should  be  made  perfectly  safe,  induces  me  to  make 
the  following  proposal.  I  will  deposit  the  notes  which  I 
receive  in  payment,  in  the  hands  of  David  Putnam  Esqr, 
Cashier  of  the  Bank  in  this  Town,  (&  who  is  a  collecting 
attorney,  of  the  strictest  integrity)  as  your  property  or 
as  a  collateral  security.  Whenever  the  money  is  collected 
it  shall  be  deposited  in  Bank  for  you,  or  remitted  agree- 
ably to  your  directions. —  The  notes  would  be  secured  by 
mortgages  on  the  land,  &  my  endorsement  would  be  al- 
ways binding  on  me.  I  hope  this  proposal,  Sir,  will  meet 
with  your  approbation;  at  the  same  time  I  am  free  to 
confess,  that  I  shall  not  have  any  cause  to  murmur,  if 
you  demand  an  immediate  facrifice  of  my  property  to 
pay  the  debt. 

It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  learn  that  my  dear  fon 
Benjamin  acquitted  himself  in  such  a  manner  as  to  ac- 
quire your  approbation,  at  the  late  examination.  Most 
devoutly  do  I  wish  that  my  situation  would  permit  my 
other  children  to  share  in  the  benefits  of  the  Exeter  Acad- 
emy.—  Circumstances,  however,  over  which  I  had  not  any 
controul,  compelled  me  to  seek  an  establishment  in  this 
Country,  &  it  would  be  a  weaknefs  now  to  repine  at  des- 
tiny. 

Mr  Stillwell,  who  contracted  with  me  for  the  section  of 
your  Land  on  Muskingum,  has  made  very  valuable  im- 
provements on  the  Land. —  At  the  time  the  contract  was 
made,  I  told  him  that  you  considered  money  worth  eight 
pr  cent  interest,  which  was  an  inducement  to  sell.  I  there- 
fore think  it  would  be  reasonable  to  demand  interest,  at 
that  rate,  for  the  delay. —  I  certainly  should  not  have 
made  the  contract  with  him,  if  I  had  not  supposed  that 
he  would  have  paid  the  money  in  Philaa  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed. He  af sured  me  that  he  had  fold  his  property  in 
Bucks  County  &  that  the  money  would  certainly  be  ready 
before  the  time  agreed  upon. —  From  the  unexpected  & 
rapid  growth  of  Zanesville,  the  Land  is  much  more  valu- 
able than  was  expected. 

With  sentiments  of  respect  &  esteem,  I  remain 
Sir  your  obliged  humb  serv1 

Benja  Ives  Gilman. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  299 

220 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Jr. 

Marietta  Decr  29th  1809  — 
DrSir 

Your  favour  of  the  12th  ins*  came  to  hand,  by  the  last 
mail  from  Chillicothe. —  The  information  respecting  the 
Steam  Engine,  convinces  me  that  it  would  eventually 
answer  well  here ;  but  at  present  it  would  take  too  much 
Capital. —  On  Wednesday  next  I  shall  have  the  businefs 
done  at  Bank,  &  on  this  day  week  will  forward  the  money 
or  a  draft. — 

I  apprehend  that  I  did  not  exprefs  myself  clearly,  in 
the  hasty  note,  written  at  the  moment  of  your  departure. 
It  certainly  could  not  be  my  wish  to  have  the  businefs  con- 
tinued, if  at  any  time  it  should  appear  unprofitable:  & 
most  afsuredly  I  could  never  wish  for  a  continuance, 
under  any  circumstances  whatever,  if  it  required  a  sacri- 
fice on  your  part,  of  interest  or  personal  convenience. — 

For  the  first  year,  I  presume  little  could  be  made,  but 
after  that  I  think  you  would  find  the  establishment  both 
pleasant  &  profitable. 

Mrs  Gilman  has  just  returned  from  a  visit  to  dear  little 
Jane,1  whom  she  found  very  well  &  more  interesting  than 
ever. — 

I  remain  always  your  faithful  friend  &  obl  serv* 

Benj  Ives  Gilman 

221 
Ben-j.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman. 

Marietta  May  18th  1810. 
Dear  Sir, 

As  Congrefs  has  adjourned  &  I  have  not  recd  any  ad- 
vice from  you  relative  to  Jn°  Coates  Note  (in  answer  to  a 
Letter  I  wrote  to  you  the  3d  of  April :  I  am  apprehensive 
that  my  Letter  was  lost. —  It  is  necefsary  that  the  orig- 
inal Note  should  be  forwarded  without  delay,  as  I  shall 

1  Mr.  Dudley  Woodbridge  married  (2)  Maria  Morgan.  The  marriage 
may  have  taken  place  before  this  date,  as  Jane  was  apparently  no  longer 
living  with  her  grandparents. 


300  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

have  to  send  it  120  miles  after  its  arrival  at  this  place. — 
The  prospect  of  recovering,  is  small;  as  the  Land  has 
been  sold  for  taxes ;  &  probably  a  Law  fuit  must  be  en- 
countered, before  the  Creditors  of  Coates,  will  be  able  to 
obtain  pof  sef  sion. 

I  remain  very  respectfully,  your  obliged  &  obl  serv* 

Benja  Ives  Gilman. 

222 

Mrs.  Gilman  left  three  of  her  children  in  New  England 
in  1810-11:  Rebecca,  whom  she  placed  in  a  Portland, 
Me.,  boarding-school  and  who  made  her  uncle  Chandler 
Bobbins'  home  her  headquarters;  Benjamin  Ives,  Jr.,  at 
Brown  University,  and  Joseph  at  Harvard. 

Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  G.  Rob- 
bins,  Lynn,  Mass. 

Marietta  January  15th  1811 
My  Dear  Brother  and  Sister. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  written  to  you  immediately 
on  my  arrival  here,  but  we  have  had  a  constant  succef  sion 
of  rains  which  has  produced  such  a  rise  of  water,  as 
render"1  it  impofsible  for  the  post-rider  to  perform  his 
office. —  The  waters  have  now  fallen  and  I  hasten  to  re- 
lieve the  anxiety  you  may  feel  on  my  account.  I  cannot 
agree  with  you,  my  dears  that  its  best  not  to  take  a  formal 
leave.  I  have  felt,  since  I  left  you,  as  if  I  had  done 
wrong,  in  not  kif sing  your  cheek,  and  sheding  a  tear  over 
you.  the  scene  is  distrefsing  I  acknowledge,  but  after  we 
are  seperated,  we  feel  a  melancholy  pleasure  in  the  re- 
flection, which  pleasure  we  are  deprived  of,  if  we  hide 
from  each  other. 

I  pafs'd  a  few  days  with  our  good  uncle  at  Norfolk  —  who 
has  not  of  late,  enjoyd  very  good  health,  consequently 
looks  more  like  Pa 'a  than  ever  —  I  told  him  your  deter- 
mination to  visit  him  —  he  exclamed  dear  child  is  it  pof- 
sible  that  I  shall  see  him,  before  I  die?  —  now,  my  dear 
Brother  —  I  beg  if  it  be  pofsible  —  that  you  will  not  dis- 
appoint his  expectations,  depend  on  it —  'twill  be  a  con- 
stant source  of  satisfaction  to  you,  all  your  life. —  I  can 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  301 

speak  from  experience, —  I  left  him,  and  his  worthy  fam- 
ily, on  Monday  22  October,  at  2  o  clock  P.  M.  and  through 
the  goodnefs  of  God,  arrived  in  safety,  at  my  beloved 
home,  on  the  9th  of  Novr. —  We  were  favour4  with  excel- 
lent roads  — and  fine  weather,  till  8th  Novr  — when  our 
fall  rains  commenced. —  I  rode  2  days  in  the  rain,  and 
was  wet  through. —  but  was  so  anxious  to  see  home,  that 
I  could  not  stop.  (0  God!  my  dear  Hannah,  how  frail  is 
human  happinefs!  how  uncertain  our  dearest  joys!)1 
however  —  I  did  not  take  cold  —  and  never  enjoy 'd  better 
health  for  which  blefsing  I  hope  ever  to  pofsefs  a  thank- 
ful heart. — 

It  was  very  dark  and  rainy,  when  I  arrived,  and  no  one 
saw  me,  till  I  enter 'd  the  parlour,  and  took  hold  of  Eliza, 
the  whole  family  were  instantly  alarmed,  and  the  domes- 
ticks  tumble"1  in,  one  over  the  other,  with  the  strongest 
exprefsions  of  Joy  and  affection. —  When  I  reflect  on  my 
flight  to  N  E  it  appears  like  a  pleasing  dreem. —  I  often 
when  alone,  find  myself  laughing  at  some  happy  scenes, 
past  with  you. —  particularly  our  Journey  to  Hallowell. 
0  the  bridge  Abba,  shall  you  ever  forget  it?  I  dare  not 
tell  my  husband  of  that  I  have  related  some  circumstances 
of  our  delightful  Journey,  and  he  has  clapt  his  hands  to- 
gether and  exclaimed  —  0  Hannah  —  if  I  had  known  it,  I 
should  have  been  distracted.  I  never  shall  trust  you 
from  me  again. 

but  really  Sister,  my  Journey  to  N  E  —  affords  me  a  con- 
stant source  of  satisfaction. —  and  now  —  dearest  of  sis- 
ter's—  when  shall  we  see  each  other  again.  Alafs  —  if 
you  do  not  come  into  this  country,  I  fear  we  shall  be  sep- 
erated  many  —  many  years. —  how  is  your  sweet  little 
Chandler  —  I  long  to  kifs  him  again — how  is  your  dear 
mother,  "boid  an  girls  comd  out  to  play"  —  is  sounding 
in  my  ears  now.  present  my  most  affectionate  regards 
to  her,  and  your  amiable  sisters  —  whom  I  think  of,  very 
often,  also  cousin  Nancy — and  my  good  friend  Curtin. 
tell  her  I  often  think  of  the  good  supper  we  made  so  hap- 
pily together,  from  her  bounty  —  write  soon,  my  dear, 
and  tell  me,  if  the  clouds  are  blown  over  —  and  you  are 
any  more  reconciled  to  the  inhabitants  of  Lynn  —  if  you 

i  Note  in  another  hand. 


302  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

should  move  from  thence  —  let  me  know. —  I  received  a 
very  good  Letter  from  Rebecca  —  a  few  days  since,  she 
was  well  —  and  appears  very  fond  of  Harriott,  and 
pleased  with  her  situation. —  she  inclosed  Harriotts  pro- 
file—  and  will  send  her  uncles  in  her  next  letter. —  which 
I  am  much  pleased  to  hear.  —  as  I  have  yours,  and 
Peter's  —  which  I  value  very  much. —  Brother  Samuel  is 
very  well  —  his  wife,  has  improved  astonishingly. —  she 
makes  him  an  excellent  wife. —  and  appears  fond  of  him. 
she  has  lately  made  a  profefsion  of  religion  —  and  is 
esteem"1  —  I  hope  my  dear  Brother,  you  will  ne[ver  go] 
to  Boston,  while  Joseph  is  there,  without  calling  on  him, 
and  when  with  him,  do  observe  if  his  cloaths  are  decent, 
and  if  not,  charge  him  to  purchase  things  necefsary  and 
comfortable. —  his  Pa 'a  has  remitted  money  to  him  — 
since  I  came  home  —  and  he  will  have  no  excuse. —  I  have 
one  favour  to  ask  of  you  sister  —  which  I  beg  you  to  re- 
flect upon.  When  brother  Chandler  comes  to  see  us, 
(which  he  afsured  me  he  should) — I  entreat  you  —  if 
your  husband  cannot  come  —  to  accompany  him.  take  a 
pleasant  season  of  the  year  —  from  Boston  to  Alexandria 
by  water  —  the  cost  is  triffling — then  from  there  here  by 
land,  if  you  will  let  me  know  when  you  will  be  there  —  I 
will  meet  you  at  Isaac's,  think  of  it,  and  tell  me  your 
minds.  All  send  love  —  particularly  my  beloved,  who  is 
prepared  to  love  you.  H  Gilman. 

223 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Benj.  Clark  Gilman,1  Exeter, 

N.H. 

Marietta  March  11th  1811.— 
My  Dear  Sir/ 

I  now  transmit  T.  &  W.  Gilmans  note  of  hand,  which 
would  have  been  sent  sooner,  but  for  an  error  made  in 
endorsing  the  Letter  received  from  you  —  When  the  Note 
came  to  hand,  I  saw  no  prospect  of  obtaining  payment, 
and  carefully  folded  it  in  the  Letter,  which  by  mistake  I 
marked     as     from     Thomas     Gilman. —  Afterwards     I 

1  Benj.  Clark  Gilman  was  a  grandson  of  Col.  John  Gilman  and  married 
a  daughter  of  Josiah  Gilman. 


I 


Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  (Rebecca  Ives) 

Prom  a  portrait  owned  by  her  great  grandson,  Theodore  Gilman, 

of  Yonkers,  N.  Y. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  303 

searched  my  files  many  times  for  your  Letter,  but  in  vain : 
and  at  last  concluded  to  examine  each  Letter  seperately ; 
when  the  error  was  detected. —  I  have  to  exprel's  my  re- 
gret for  this  accidental  delay  of  the  Note,  and  hope  that 
Thomas  may  now  be  in  a  situation  to  make  payment, 
without  inconvenience.  — 

From  the  bearer,  Mr  Joshua  James,  I  have  had  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  a  detailed  account  of  my  Exeter 
friends  &  relatives;  who  will  ever  be  held  dear  in  my 
Memory. — 

When  my  dear  Mrs  Gilman  left  home  last  July,  I  had 
not  the  least  expectation  of  her  returning  until  the  ensu- 
ing spring. —  It  was  my  intention  to  have  met  her  in  New 
England  in  the  month  of  February  &  remained  there  until 
the  last  of  April. —  Her  anxiety  to  see  the  young  children 
she  left  behind,  has  deprived  me  of  the  pleasure  of  visit- 
ing my  native  Town,  at  this  time :  &  I  know  not  when  I 
can  again  make  it  convenient  to  leave  home. —  In  a  Mafsa- 
chusetts  Register  recently  received,  I  noticed  with  pleas- 
ure your  connexion  with  the  Boston  Aqueduct  Society. — 
I  sincerely  hope  you  will  find  the  businefs  both  profitable 
&  pleasant. — 

My  excellent  Mother  enjoys  better  health  than  is  usual 
for  a  person  of  her  years.1 — My  family  is  about  as  large 
as  yours,  but  I  am  far  from  enjoying  the  same  blefsing 
that  you  do,  in  having  good  Schools  at  hand,  for  the  edu- 
cation of  children. — 

We  live  here  in  a  fine  climate,  in  a  land  of  great  plenty, 
but  most  shamefully  destitute  of  Schools. — 

I  am  at  all  times  anxious  to  hear  of  the  welfare  of  my 
Cousins,  and  if  you  can  find  time  occasionally  to  write, 
You  will  greatly  oblige,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  affectionate  friend  &  very  humble  Servant 

Benja  Ives  Gilman 


i  Mrs.  Gilman  was  sixty-five  years  old. 


304  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

224 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Oilman,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

Providence x  17th  Nov  1813. 
Dear  Sir/ 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  waited  on  You,  previ- 
ously to  my  leaving  home,  to  converse  on  the  subject  of 
the  debt  which  I  have  so  long  owed  you :  but  some  unex- 
pected businefs  prevented  me. —  You  probably,  Sir,  were 
much  surprised  to  hear  of  my  removal  from  the  State  of 
Ohio,  before  the  discharge  of  the  debt  so  long  due:  had 
I  supposed  that  my  remaining  there  would  have  accel- 
erated the  payment,  I  certainly  should  not  have  left  that 
Country.  One  principal  object  in  the  removal  was  to  lib- 
erate myself,  &  I  feel  confident  that  it  will  be  much  f ooner 
effected  than  if  I  had  remained.  In  addition  to  the  bonds 
I  hold  for  Land  sold,  will  be  all  my  property  in  Ohio, 
which  is  now  offer 'd  for  sale;  &  from  both  sources  I  am 
sanguine  in  the  opinion  that  I  shall  foon  be  able  to  draw 
funds  sufficient  to  discharge  the  last  cent  I  owe.  In  con- 
sequence of  the  lofs  of  about  $22,000  in  active  property, 
I  have  found  myself  much  embarrafsed  for  Years  past, 
but  I  have  always  had  the  consolation  of  knowing  that 
my  property,  in  any  event,  would  more  than  discharge 
my  debts.  My  real  estate  at  a  moderate  valuation,  to- 
gether with  Bonds  &c  will  pay  my  debts  &  leave  me  from 
30  to  40  thousand  dollars.  Being  so  largely  indebted  to 
You,  Sir,  I  feel  it  a  duty  to  explain  &  give  a  detail  of  my 
circumstances  &  prospects :  &  I  hope  my  motive  will  be  a 
fufficient  apology  for  troubling  You  with  my  personal 
concerns.  Principally  thro'  the  instrumentallity  of  my 
worthy  relative  Mr  Ives,1  I  have  agreed  to  enter  into 
Commifsion  businefs  in  this  City,  with  Mr  Otis  Ammidon 
formerly  of  Providence.  The  first  object  will  be  to  sell, 
on  Commifsion,  the  Cotton  fabrics,  of  New  England.  We 
have  the  afsurance  of  support,  from  almost  all  the  per- 
sons concerned  in  the  Cotton  businefs  in  Rhode  Island,  & 

i  This  letter,  though  written  in  Providence,  was  handed  to  Hon.  Nicholas 
Gilman  in  Philadelphia. 

2  His  cousin,  Thomas  P.  Ives,  of  Providence,  who  married  Hope  Brown. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  305 

the  house  of  Brown  &  Ives  will  give  all  their  businefs  & 
influence  to  our  establishment.  Indeed  their  kindnefs 
has  exceeded  my  warmest  expectations,  for  they  have 
offer 'd  to  make  advances,  at  all  times,  to  the  am0  of 
$25,000:  provided  the  manufacturers  should  have  occa- 
sion for  money,  on  their  consignments.  My  knowledge 
of  Mr  Ammidon  arises  principally  from  the  information 
of  Mr  Ives,  who  represents  him  as  a  man  of  strict  integ- 
rity &  a  complete  merchant.  Mr  A.  has  been  Cashier  of 
the  Providence  Bank  &  left  it  on  account  of  its  being  too 
sedantary  an  employment.  From  this  businefs  I  hope  to 
derive  a  sum  equal  to  the  support  of  my  family :  &  should 
it  fall  short  I  can  draw  some  afsistance  from  the  State 

of  Ohio. 

With  these  prospects,  I  look  forward  to  a  day  when  I 
can  have  the  pleasure  of  taking  up  my  Bond  &  thanking 
You  for  Your  kind  indulgence. 

Very  respectfully  Your  Obe  humb  Serv* 

Benja  Ives  Gilman. 

Philad  Nov  24 

N  B.  I  intended  to  have  forwarded  this  from  Provi- 
dence pr  post,  but  finding  that  I  should  not  be  detained 
there  so  long  as  was  expected,  concluded  to  bring  it  on. 

225 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman,  Washing- 
ton City. 

Marietta  14th  April  1814 

Dear  Sir/ 

I  did  not  discover,  until  after  the  closing  of  the  Mail 
the  10th  ins1,  that  I  had  only  cover 'd  three  Notes  of  $50 
ea .  —  I  now  enclose  the  others  &  hope  the  whole  will  ar- 
rive in  safety. — 

I  remain,  fir,  very  respectfully  Your  ob1  Serv1 

Benja  Ives  Gilman 
1814  May  12th  Recd  Three  Bills 

2  at  50 100 

1 100 

$200 


306  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

226 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Nathaniel  Oilman,  Exeter,  N.  H.1 

Philad  11th  May  1814. 
My  dear  Sir. 

I  returned  a  few  days  since  from  the  State  of  Ohio, 
and  cannot  deny  myself  the  melancholly  satisfaction  of 
condoling  with  you,  for  the  lofs  of  your  excellent  brother. 
On  my  way  home,  I  took  up  a  newspaper  at  Lancaster  & 
the  first  paragraph  that  met  my  eye,  was  the  notice  of 
your  brothers  death.2  This  mournful  intelligence  was  so 
unexpected,  so  totally  unlook'd  for,  that  I  could  not,  & 
cannot  yet,  scarcely  realize  the  lofs.  You  have  doubtlefs 
had  a  detailed  account  of  his  illnef s  from  Capt.  Odlin ;  I 
shall,  neverthelefs,  communicate  all  that  has  been  men- 
tioned to  me  respecting  this  distrefsing  events,  believing 
that  you  will  derive  a  melancholy  satisfaction,  even  from 
a  repetition  of  the  account  of  events  that  occur 'd  in  the 
last  days  of  one  so  highly  valued,  so  deserving  of  esteem. 
On  Friday  the  22d  inst.  the  day  that  your  brother  re- 
turned to  this  City,  he  called  at  our  house,  &  my  good 
Mother  &  Mrs  Gilman  say  that  he  never  appeared  in  bet- 
ter health  &  spirits.  On  Monday  he  repeated  the  call  & 
appeared  quite  as  well  as  on  his  first  visit.  On  that  day 
or  the  next,  he  dined  with  Mr  Newbold.  In  the  evening 
following  he  was  indisposed  &  in  the  course  of  the  night 
had  a  violent  ague  fit,  attended  with  most  excruciating 
pains  in  the  side.  Doc.  Chapman  was  called  in  the  morn- 
ing &  ordered  a  copious  bleeding  &  administered  some 
pills.  The  Doctor  spoke  of  the  disease  as  a  common  cojd, 
which  would  easily  give  way  to  medicine.  My  family 
were  not  informed  of  his  illnefs  until  after  his  removal  to 
Capt.  Odlins  on  Thursday.  My  Mother  instantly  called 
&  found  him  quite  ill  and  much  distrefsed  for  breath. 

i  MS.  loaned  by  Daniel  Gilman,  Exeter,  N.  H.  Nathaniel  Gilman  and 
his  brothers,  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  and  Governor  John  Taylor  Gilman, 
were  grandsons  of  the  "Uncle  Danii"  of  whom  Joseph  Gilman  wrote  in 
his  early  letters.  As  Nathaniel  married  Abigail  Odlin  and  his  sister  Eliz- 
abeth Gilman  married  (1)  Dudley  Odlin,  we  suppose  that  the  Capt.  Odlin 
at  whose  house  in  Philadelphia  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  died,  was  a  connec- 
tion and  possibly  his  nephew. 

2  Hon.  Nicholas  Gilman  died  May  2,  1814. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  307 

He  observed  that  the  pain  in  his  side  had  been  most  ex- 
cruciating the  night  that  he  was  seized,  &  added  that  he 
thought  it  occasioned  by  a  cold  caught  on  board  the 
steamboat.  On  friday,  Saturday  &  Sunday  the  disorder 
appeared  fluctuating  &  sometimes  favourable  symptoms 
intervened.  A  free  prespiration  was  kept  up,  during  the 
whole  time.  On  Monday  the  pain  ceased  &  he  had  (in 
the  morning)  a  few  moments  conversation  with  Doc. 
Logan  respecting  an  Armistice.  He  said  he  felt  better 
excepting  great  weakness  &  observed  that  he  did  not 
know  what  the  consequences  would  be,  if  he  should  not  be 
relieved  from  such  unusual  distrefsing  debility.  At  this 
time  wine  &  brandy  were  copiously  administered,  but 
without  the  least  effect.  It  was  mentioned  that  perhaps 
he  would  breathe  with  more  ease,  if  raised  a  little  higher 
in  bed,  he  afsented  &  while  Capt.  Odlin  was  sustaining 
him  in  this  position,  without  a  groan  he  expired. 

During  his  illness  he  was  not  a  moment  deranged;  & 
his  mind  appeared  active,  unclouded  &  perfectly  serene, 
thro'  the  whole  progrefs  of  the  disease.  He  exhibited 
all  that  firmness  of  character,  and  delicate  propriety  of 
conduct  in  sicknef s,  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable  when 
in  health.  Mrs  and  Capt.  Odlin  were  as  afsiduous  as  pof- 
sible,  &  no  attentions  were  omitted  which  promised  ben- 
efit, or  that  could  smooth  the  descent  to  the  grave.  The 
funeral  was  conducted  with  that  propriety  which  could 
be  wished,  and  with  all  those  respectful  attentions,  grat- 
ifying to  to  the  friends  of  the  deceased.  The  disorder  is 
now  pronounced  a  violent  Typhus  Fever. 

It  would  have  been  highly  gratifying  to  me,  if  I  could 
have  been  present  to  have  tendered  my  services  in  the 
sick  chamber,  and  I  very  much  regret  that  I  had  not  re- 
turned a  few  days  sooner,  in  order  that  I  might,  at  least 
had  the  mournful  satisfaction  of  following  the  remains, 
of  one  whom  I  so  highly  respected,  to  the  Silent  tomb. 
My  good  Mother  &  Mrs  Gilman  join  me  in  presenting  most 
respectful  Compliments  of  Condolence  to  Gov.  Gilman 's 
&  your  family,  sir,  &  in  wishes  that  you  may  all  find  con- 
solation from  Him,  who  alone,  can  pour  the  balm  of  con- 
solation into  the  breasts  of  the  afflicted. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully  your 

ob.  &  humble  Serv* 

Benj.  Ives  Gilman 


308  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

227 
H.  W.  Noble x  to  Mrs.  Ben j.  Ives  Gilman,  Philadelphia, 

Pa. 

Marietta  29th  Jany  1815 
Respected  Madam 

I  write  this,  to  put  you  in  mind  of  an  old  acquaintance 
of  yours  in  this  country,  who  thinks  a  great  deal  of  you 
and  one  that  so  highly  respects,  and  values  you  that  he  is 
fearful  that  the  bustle  of  the  City  and  the  succefsion  of 
new  objects  will  cause  you  to  forget  him  —  I  consider  my- 
self, at  present  as  an  exile  from  all  that  is  really  pleasur- 
able in  life,  and  that  Marietta  is  to  be  viewed  in  the  same 
light,  contrasted  with  Philadelphia,  or  Boston,  as  Siberia 
or  Kamskatca,  but  I  expect  when  the  Hartford  conven- 
tion has  settled  the  affairs  of  the  Nation  to  be  recalled  — 
In  the  meantime  I  have  nothing  to  do,  but  to  hope  for 
better  times 

"  Exiles  they  say  subsist  on  Hope 

' '  Delusive  hope !  that  pants  for  distant  good 

' '  To  Good  that  mocks  approach 

But  I  must  go  soon,  if  at  all,  for  I  find  I  am  growing  old 
at  a  great  rate,  and  must  if  my  remove  is  procrastinated, 
share  the  fate  of  good  old  Mofes,  who 

• ' '  Prom  fair x  Pisgahs  height 
' '  The  Land  of  Canaan  eyed 
"  Surveyed  the  region  with  delight 
"He  saw  —  came  down  —  and  dyed 

You  see  what  a  wonderful  taste  for  poetry  I  have —  In- 
deed Dear  Madam.  I  very  much  long  to  see  you,  and  all 
the  dear  family  There  is  every  thing  to  put  me  in  mind 
of  you,  and  every  thing  to  cause  regret  Still,  I  love  my 
friends  so  dearly,  that  I  cannot  but  rejoice  in  any  circum- 
stance that  favors  their  happinefs 
The  place  affords  nothing  new  at  present.     I  generally 

go  once  a  week  to  visit  your  particular  friend  Mifs  B 

and  that  is  on  Sunday  evenings,  when  I  have  my  roast- 
meat  clothes   on  —  and  we  never   fail   of  talking  good 

i  A  member  of  Mr.  Gilman  's  household  in  Marietta,  and  tutor  to  the 
children. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  309 

things  of  you  and  the  family  —  Please  to  speak  of  me 
in  the  kindest  terms  to  the  amiable  Mr  Gilman  Love  to 
Robert,  tell  him  he  "owes  me  one"  Compliments  to  my 
pretty  friend  Mifs  Eliza  If  I  have  not  written  to  her, 
yet  I  still  think  of  her  with  all  pofsible  friendship  and 
esteem  —  Love  to  the  little  Boys  —  and  for  yourself, 
please  to  accept  every  thing  that  the  purest  friendship 
and  respect  can  dictate  from 

Madam 
Your  obedient  humble  servant 

H  W  Noble 
Madam  Gilman  will  please  to  peruse  the  enclosed,  and 
if  she  finds  nothing  in  it  objectionable,  she  will  deliver  it 
otherwise  retain  it  — 
Mrs  Rebecca  Gilman 

Philadelphia 
1  Allegany. 

228 

Patty  Swift  was  visiting  her  sister,  Mrs.  Jesse 
Crissey,  in  Lumberland  when  these  verses  were  ad- 
dressed to  her  by  the  young  Quaker  she  afterwards  mar- 
ried, Thomas  Lippincott,  who  was  employed  at  the  time 
by  Patty's  uncle,  Jesse  Crissey.  Mr.  Lippincott  was 
born  in  Salem,  N.  J.  He  left  an  interesting  picture  of 
the  town  in  "My  Native  Village,"  a  story  of  his  early 
life.  His  ancestry  was  purely  Quaker  and  emigrated 
to  this  country  on  account  of  religious  persecution. 

Thomas  Lippincott  to  Patty  Swift. 

A  Prayer  for  the 
Lord's  Pardoning  Mercy  and  purifying 

Grace. 

Oh/,  Lord :  my  heart  is  prone  to  sin ; 
Take  it,  Great  God !  and  wash  it  clean ; 
Let  Jesus  purge  it  with  His  Blood 
Until  the  Lord  pronounce  it  good. 

Oh !  let  me  in  Repentance  pray 
That  Thou  wilt  take  my  Sins  away; 


310  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Let  me  in  meek  Submif  sion  kneel 
And  humbly  ask  to  do  Thy  will. 

'Though  I  have  wandered  from  Thy  laws 
Through  all  the  sins  false  pleasures  cause, 
Yet  may  I  ask  that  Thou 'It  forgive 
And  let  me  deep  repenting,  live  f 

Oh!  let  not  Satan's  tempting  wiles 
Seduce  me  from  Thy  gracious  smiles. 
But  keep  my  heart  secured  from  harms 
Encircled  round  by  Jesus'  arms. 

Thus  let  me  live  in  Jesus'  love 

'Till  Time 's  clogged  wheels  shall  cease  to  move 

Oh !  then  my  Soul  shall  soar  away 

To  Realms  of  Everlasting  Day. 

My  Dear  Friend  — 

!  beg  leave  to  dedicate  this  first  poetical  production  of 
my  serious  thoughts,  to  you  who  I  conceive  have  been  in- 
strumental in  awakening  my  Soul  from  the  deep  lethargy 
in  which  she  slumbered,  thus  adding  to  the  many  obliga- 
tions which  I  am  under,  the  most  important  favor  which 
can  be  conferred. 

May  He  who  sees  you  do  good  in  private  reward  you 

openly,  according  to  the  rich  treasures  of  His  Grace. 

And  may  you  while  continuing  in  this  life,  pofsefs  His 

Love  abundantly  and  in  that  to  come  Eternal  Happinefs. 

Your  obliged  and  sincere  friend 

Thos  Lippincott 
Ten  Mile  River  Nov.  11th  1815. 
Miss  Martha  Swift 

229 
Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  his  wife,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Marietta  14th  Feby.  1816. 

I  wrote  to  you,  my  dear  Wife,  last  evening  &  having 

just  heard  of  a  private  conveyance,  I  cannot  let  it  pass 

unimproved.     My  evenings  are  generally  passed  alone, 

in  my  chamber,  where  I  have  a  good  warm  fire.    Writing 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  311 

to  you  is  the  principal  amusement.  My  letters  are  not 
all  forwarded;  for  so  sure  as  one  is  kept  on  hand  half  a 
day,  I  begin  to  think  it  too  gay  or  too  serious  &  throw  it 
in  the  fire.  Sometimes  I  can  beguile  the  tedious  mo- 
ments by  closing  my  eyes,  mounting  my  feet  upon  the 
chimney-piece  immagining  myself  at  my  own  fireside. 
It  is  then  I  fancy  my  little  boys  are  in  the  room  with  me : 
that  I  hear  Winthrop  exulting  at  having  the  list  &  Arthur 
archly  demanding  a  larger  slice  of  bread  &  butter.  The 
delusion  is  fleeting  as  pleasant  &  I  waken  from  my  day- 
dreams to  a  full  sense  of  the  bitterness  of  my  exile.  Per- 
haps you  will  say,  why  do  you  not  return  1  Prompted  by 
the  warmth  of  my  feelings  I  sometimes  pettishly  say  I 
will  be  off,  I  will  no  longer  protract  this  absence  from 
all  I  hold  dear,  for  sordid  drofs.  Then  comes  Prudence 
whispering  in  my  ear.  —  There  is  a  debt  to  be  secured. 
A  farm  to  be  sold.  Notes  to  be  collected.  Fur  contracts 
to  be  executed.  The  Dame  also  admonishes  me,  by  say- 
ing that  businef  s  is  dull  at  Philad* :  there  are  more  per- 
sons in  the  Store  than  can  be  employed:  Expenses  are 
heavy :  Rents  must  be  punctually  paid  School  bills  dis- 
charged &c  &c  &c  I  then  conclude  that  it  is  best  for  me  to 
remain  here,  so  long  as  I  can  be  useful  to  our  Firm. — 
From  present  appearances  I  may  yet  be  detained  here 
fix  weeks. —  Tomorrow  I  go  to  Zanesville  &  expect  to  be 
absent  about  ten  days. —  I  contemplate  descending  the 
Ohio  (after  my  return  from  Zanesville)  as  far  as  Sandy 
River  &  if  I  hear  of  Cartwright  my  voyage  may  be  con- 
tinued to  Cincinnati.  Yesterday  I  visited  your  Brother.1 
Mrs  Robbins  suffers  severely,  with  her  broken  breast. 
By  the  last  mail  I  recd  the  third  letter  from  Col0  Sargent. 
He  is  more  pressing  than  ever  to  have  me  visit  Natchez  2 
&  says  "indeed  I  am  sure  you  will  come"  —  Before  I  can 
finish  our  business  here,  it  will  be  too  late  for  me  to  think 
of  seeing  New  Orleans  this  season.  The  Washington 
Benevolent  Society  are  to  have  a  festive  meeting  the  22a. 
My  Journey  to  Zanesville  furnishes  a  decent  apology  for 
my  not  joining  in  the  amusements  of  the  day :  &  were  I  to 

i  Rev.  Samuel  P.  Robbins. 

2  Col.  Sargent  was  at  this  time  governor  of  Mississippi  and  was  living 
at  his  home,  ' '  Gloster  Place, ' '  in  Natchez. 


312  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

be  present,  it  would  be  a  joylefs  day  to  me  for  I  should 
be  thinking  of  those  who  are  far  away. — 

Captain  Greene  has  not  yet  arrived. —  I  anticipate  the 
pleasure  of  a  Letter  from  you  &  a  second  Sheet  of  Re- 
beccas interesting  Journal:  &  therefore  am  quite  impa- 
tient at  the  Captains  delay.  I  have  had  one  visit  from 
Fulcher  &  I  hope  it  will  not  be  repeated.  He  entertained 
me  with  Nozle  Town  anecdotes  for  three  long  hours,  &  I 
should  not  have  escaped  then,  had  not  the  Dinner  hour 
arrived. 

Judge  Cutler  is  very  friendly  &  clever.  Mrs  Cutler 
presents  her  regards.     She  has  only  five  children. 

I  believe  that  you  have  not  had  an  account  of  the  pro- 
grefs  of  my  businefs,  in  any  former  Letter.  I  have  sold, 
the  Little  Schooner  built  by  Mr  Whitney :  the  Galor  Farm 
on  Duck  Creek ;  300  acres  of  Land  at  Ludlows  Ripple : 
100  acres  at  Old  Town  Creek:  a  Brick  Store  (formerly 
occupied  by  John  Leavens)  at  Springfield:  some  house 
Lots  &  out  Lots  in  Marietta  &  a  house  Lot  opposite  the 
great  Esqr  Sharps  on  Point  Harmar.  This  day  I  have 
rented  my  favorite  Farm  to  a  very  respectable  Tenant, 
from  New  England.  Now  is  not  all  this  very  interesting 
information.  I  dare  say  you  never  heard  of  the  Galor 
Farm  &c  &c  before  &  I  am  sure  You  never  wish  to  see 
or  hear  of  them  again. 

This  Letter  will  probably  be  favour 'd  by  a  Mr  May- 
bury,  a  very  worthy  young  man  who  resides  at  Parkers- 
burgh. —  His  Sister  is  married  to  H.  L.  Prentifs.  She  is 
as  much  respected,  as  her  husband  is  disliked :  &  I  could 
hardly  say  more  in  her  favour. 

With  respect  to  Your  sending  out  one  of  our  Sons  to 
relieve  me,  as  suggested  in  my  last :  I  hardly  know  what 
to  say.  I  do  not  like  to  have  either  of  them  take  the  haz- 
ard of  crof sing  the  mountains  in  the  Stage :  &  it  will  be 
too  expensive  to  buy  a  Horse  at  Philada — Do,  however, 

as  may  be  thought  best.    Ask  Mr.  A 1  to  come  &  see 

you  &  hold  a  family  consultation.  Present  my  best  re- 
spects to  Mrs  Hodgdon. —  Tell  the  Colonel,  that  I  think  he 
ought  to  send  some  one  out,  to  look  up  his  Miami  Land. 
Farms  within  20  or  30  miles  of  Cincinnati,  &  unimproved 

1  Mr.  Ammidon,  Mr.  Gilman  's  partner. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  313 

Lands  have  risen  astonishingly. —  Tell  my  dear  children 
to  Love  &  respect  their  Grandma 'a:  to  be  dutiful  to  You; 
&  kind  to  each  other  &  may  our  Heavenly  Father  protect 
&  suffer  us  all  to  meet  again  in  this  World  &  prepare  us 
for  a  more  blessed  ftate.  Such  is  the  prayer  of  your 
affectionate  husband.  Benja  Ives  Oilman. 

230 
Rev.  Samuel  P.  Robbins  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Oilman, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Marietta,  March  31,  1816.    Sab.  evs 
My  dear  Sister, 

You  have  doubtless  ere  this,  heard  of  your  dear  hus- 
band's illness.  It  is  the  prevailing  winter  fever.  It  is  a 
little  more  than  a  fortnight  since  he  was  taken.  But,  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  past  week,  he  has  been  confined 
to  his  bed ;  and  is  now.  And  I  shall  view  myself  as  act- 
ing an  unfriendly  part,  not  to  tell  you  that  he  is  extreme- 
ly low.  Still,  God  is  able  to  raise,  from  the  borders  of 
the  grave.  And  this  has  been  my  fervent  prayer  (with 
respect  to  him)  this  evening.  But,  whatever  may  be  His 
holy  will,  0  that  he,  &  you,  and  I,  and  all  connected,  may 
be  prepared  for  it!  I  have  been  over  repeatedly,  the 
past  week,  to  see  him.  (For,  he  is  at  his  own  mansion- 
house  ;  sick  in  the  same  chamber  that  I  was.)  Yesterday 
I  was  over,  in  the  afternoon,  and  was  glad  to  find  him  so 
much  better  at  times,  than  the  day  before.  He  talked 
very  pleasantly  with  me :  —  and,  in  the  course  of  conver- 
sation, remarked,  "My  heart  is  overflowing  with  grati- 
tude to  the  Almighty  for  the  more  favourable  prospect 
of  my  recovery;"  immediately  upon  uttering  which,  he 
put  the  sheet  over  his  face,  and  shed  a  flood  of  tears.  He 
acknowledged  further  that  "if  God  was  pleased  to  take 
him  away  he  should  not  have  a  word  to  say."  —  I  made 
some  remarks,  and  left  him  —  mentioning  to  him  that  I 
should  be  over  again,  this  evening,  or  in  the  morning. 
But,  this  evening  (about  an  hour  since)  Mr  Henderson 
called,  and  informed  me  of  what  I  mentioned  to  you  on 
the  other  page,  that  he  is  very  low ;  so  low,  that  the  Doc- 
tors (Reignier  &  Cotton)  thought  it  adviseable  for  his 


314  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

friends  not  to  come  in  to  see  him.  Reignier  stays  with 
him  to-night.  I  have,  once  &  again,  offered  my  services, 
to  watch,  &c.  but  my  dear  brother  told  me,  it  was  unnec- 
essary ;  he  had  assistance  enough.  I  never  saw  a  man  so 
afraid  of  making  trouble.  Mr  Henderson  told  me  that 
he  was  taken  worse  soon  after  I  left  there,  yesterday;  — 
that  his  friends  called  to  see  him,  and  that  he  said  to 
them,  ' '  Gentlemen,  you  see  here  what  you  must  all  come 
to ;  and  be  assured  that  there  is  no  other  Foundation  on 
which  it  will  do  to  build  a  hope  of  future  happiness,  but 
the  Rock  of  ages. ' ' 

I  do  sincerely  hope  to  find  him  better,  in  the  morning. 
But,  I  am  almost  afraid  to  hear.  0  may  you  &  I  be  pre- 
pared for  whatever  may  be  the  will  of  a  holy  God,  re- 
specting him;  realizing  that  though  His  judgments  are 
a  great  deep,  &  his  ways  unsearchable,  yet,  they  are  all 
just  &  right;  —  and,  that  it  becomes  us  to  "be  still." 
Robert  is  well.  My  family  also ;  and  send  an  affectionate 
remembrance.  0,  how  I  wish,  at  times,  (if  it  were  the 
will  of  Providence)  that  you  were  here!  I  am  inclined 
to  think  that  Mr  Gilman  's  anxiety  of  mind  to  see  his  fam- 
ily has  been  but  the  more  injurious  to  his  health. 

Monday  morning,  7  o'  clock.  April  1.  Mr  Gilman  rested 
pretty  quietly;  but  is  yet  extremely  feeble.  1  oclock, 
P.  M.  I  have  just  come  from  there.  Very  low,  takes  but 
little  notice  of  anything.  Doctor  Cotton  told  me  some 
expressions  he  uttered  on  Saturday  evening,  when  in 
great  distress,  &  thought  to  be  near  the  close  of  life.  One 
was, ' '  I  am  a  great  sinner,  have  nothing  to  plead,  but  the 
prayer  of  the  publican,  'God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner'!" which,  he  repeated  three  or  four  times.  He  spoke 
very  calmly  about  his  burial,  &  very  particularly  — 
"wishing  to  be  laid  in  his  father's  tomb,  and  that  the 
man  who  made  it,  might  be  sent  for  to  open  it."  He 
said,  he  "wished  to  be  laid  as  nigh  his  father  as  just  to 
leave  room  between  them  for  the  remains  of  his  dear 
mother,  in  case  she  &  the  family  should  return  to  this 
country  which  he  thought  'twas  likely  they  would  do." 
He  gave  some  very  good  advice  to  Robert.  Told  him, 
"he  should  leave  him  &  the  rest  some  property;  but  that 
he  must  "not  set  his  heart  upon  it,  but  lay  up  for  himself 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  315 

treasure  in  heaven."  He  then  gave  some  particular 
directions  about  his  worldly  interest,  and  seemed  to  re- 
gret that  he  had  not  made  over  to  Ma'am,1  in  writing, 
some  property  that  belonged  to  her,  but  which  he  held  in 
his  own  name,  and  which  would  as  it  now  stood,  fall  to 
his  family,  after  his  decease."  and  gave  express  direc- 
tions respecting  it.  While  Mr  Woodbridge  was  present 
I  think  &  Mr  Ward  &  others,  he  reminded  them  of  "the 
insufficiency  of  any  earthly  inheritance  to  make  [torn] 

0, 1  can't  but  hope,  if  he  should  recover,  that  this  sick- 
ness will  be  a  mean  of  saving  good  to  his  soul,  and  thro' 
his  instrumentality,  to  the  souls  of  his  dear  f  am  [torn] 

Tuesday  April  2.  Mr  Gilman  is  much  better.  I  was 
surpri[torn]  the  alteration  in  him.  His  fever  seems  to 
have  left  him.  I  have  every  [reason]  to  think,  it  was 
the  same  kind  of  fever  with  that  which  has  pre  [vailed] 
in  the  winter,  in  many  places,  &  which  has  been  so  mor- 
tal; and,  of  which,  [torn]  around  us  have  lately 
died: —  (Major  Stanley  of  Duck  Creek,  for  one;  and  Mr 
Brie  [torn]  in-law,  who  used  to  live  at  Belpre.)  It  is 
called  by  many  the  spotted  fever,  [torn]  week  ago,  Mr 
Gilman 's  feet  were  spotted;  so  that  he  had  to  have  re- 
course [to  stim]ulants  to  keep  the  blood  in  proper  cir- 
culation. (Brother  Frank  Goodwin,  I  suppose,  you 
[torn] 

Thursday.  April  4th.  I  have  not  yet  been  over  to  see 
Mr.  G.  this  morning.  (It  is  now  7  o'clock)  But  from 
what  I  hear,  he  is  in  a  state  of  convalescency ;  and,  I  hope, 
will  be  restored  to  you  in  God's  own  time,  once  more. 
But,  it  is  the  general  opinion  that  it  will  not  be  prudent 
for  him  to  set  out  on  his  journey  even  if  he  is  able,  under 
3  or  4  weeks.  Yesterday,  P.  M.  he  appeared  quite  smart; 
compared  with  two  or  three  days  since.  Dr  Cotton  men- 
tioned to  me  the  other  day  another  expression  of  Mr  Gil- 
man's  in  his  apparently  dying  moments;  —  a  verse  from 
Watts  which  he  repeated,  I  believe  more  than  once:  — 
"Could  I  but  climb  where  Moses  stood,"  &c  (the  whole 
verse) — 
We  'are    fixing   to   make   a   visit  today,    down    to   our 


i  His  mother. 


316  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

Mother 's.    I  shall  drop  this  in  the  office  on  my  way  —  at 
Point  Harmar.     We  are  well  as  usual.     Do  write. 
Your  affectionate  brother 

Samuel  P.  Bobbins. 
A  very  interesting  letter  from  my  dear  brother  Sam1 
relating  to  my  beloved  husband.  H.  G. 

231 
Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Rev.  Isaac  Bobbins,  Alex- 
andria, D.  C. 

Philadelphia  April  17th  1816 
Mr  Amidon  has  written  repeatedly  to  you,  my  dear 
Brother,  since  the  sickness  of  the  best  of  husband's,  as 
I  know  your  anxiety  to  hear  further  from  him  must  be 
great,  I  will  transcribe  a  letter  from  our  dear  brother 
Sammy,  which  we  received  in  course. 
[A  copy  of  the  previous  letter  follows.] 
since  this  letter  of  brother  Sammy's,  my  dear  brother, 
we  have  recd  2  from  Robert,  mentioning  that  his  dear 
Pa 'a  is  recovering  as  fast  as  his  physicians  can  expect  — 
considering  he  has  been  so  very  low. —  rejoice  with  us, 
my  brother,  and  blefs  the  Lord  for  all  that  he  has  done, 
the  first  intelegence  we  had,  was  in  a  letter  from  our  son 
Robert  who  went  on  providentially,  to  relieve  his  Pa 'a, 
that  he  might  return  to  his  family. — but  Gods  ways,  are 
not  our's.  Robert  had  arrived  about  ten  days,  when  his 
dear  father  was  seized  with  this  dreadful  fever. —  Our 
distref s,  was  great  beyond  discription,  and  we  could  only 
hear  from  him  twice  a  week,  but  blefsed  be  God,  the 
throne  of  grace,  was  accefsable.  that  was  all  my  con- 
solation, we,  as  a  distrefsed  family,  put  up  publick 
prayers,  and  private,  our  dear  christian  friends  here, 
were  constantly  with  us,  praying  for  us,  and  mixing  their 
tears  with  ours,  never  shall  I  forget  their  kindnefs.  I 
have  reason  to  believe  their  prayers  were  heard,  and  that 
God  in  his  unbounded  mercy,  has  spared  his  life,  and  will 
grant  us  the  favour  to  see  his  face  once  more. —  and  0  my 
dear  brother  —  have  we  not  good  reason  to  believe  that 
the  blefsed  spirit  whose  office  it  is  to  convert  a  soul  —  has 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  317 

changed  his  heart.1  Pray  for  us  my  dear,  and  for  him.— 
that  he  may  be  deliver*  from  the  fear  of  man  that  bring- 
eth  a  snare  —  and  come  out  from  the  world  and  be  sep- 
erate  — and  own  Jesus  before  the  world.— I  acknowledge 
that  we  do  not  deserve  such  a  mercy  — but  God  is  able  I 
know  to  do  all  that  he  needs  for  Jesus  sake  — and  I  trust 
lie  will.— Our  family  are  thro  divine  goodnefs  well,  and 
beg  to  Join  me  in  affectionate  remembrance  to  you  all  — 
remember  me  particularly  to  my  dear  sister  —  and  tell 
her  to  rejoice  with  us. —  our  dear  brother  Philemon,  I 
was  told  by  Frank  Le  Baron,  has  faint  turns  —  and  they 
think  he  will  probably  die  in  one  of  them.  Bro  Frank 
Goodwin  is  dead.2— your  dear  friend  Mr  Haskins  has 
been  very  sick  &  is  still  very  feeble.— I  wish  my  dear,  you 
would  write  soon  to  your  ever  affectionate  sister 

Hannah 

232 

My  dear  Wife,  Marietta  9th  May  1816. 

Your  precious  Letter  of  the  29th  ull  has  been  received. 
I  rejoice  always  to  hear  of  the  continued  health  of  those 
who  are  more  dear  to  me  than  life :  &  humbly  trust  that 
our  Heavenly  Father  will  permit  us  again  to  meet  &  to 
thank  him  for  all  his  blef sings.  We  are  so  anxious  to  see 
you  here,  that  I  have  consented  to  have  Robert  mention, 
in  his  two  last  Letters  to  have  you  come  on  with  Col0 
Stone.  On  more  reflection  I  do  not  feel  much  pleased 
with  the  project.  Unlefs  You  have  a  strong  desire  to 
visit  with  Your  Brother,  I  would  not  have  you  undertake 
the  long  &  tedious  Journey.  A  variety  of  reasons  will 
present  themselves  to  your  mind  against  the  measure,  & 
some  of  them  may  be  decisive.  Perhaps  you  have  not  yet 
secured  a  House.  This  is  all  important.  I  desired  Rob- 
ert in  his  last  to  say  that  I  had  very  little  choice  as  to 
Streets.  If  pofsible  obtain  one  with  sufficient  room  &  a 
good  Yard.  It  is  also  desirable  not  to  be  compel 'd  to 
move,  at  the  end  of  the  Year. 

i  His  son,  Winthkop  Sargent  GilIman,  in  later  years  spoke  of  Mr.  GrL 
'man  as  a  sincere  christian,  but  the  type  of  religion  which  was  presented  to 
him  was  not  of  the  kind  to  make  a  strong  appeal  to  his  reserved  nature. 

2  Dr.  Francis  LeBaron  Goodwin,  Mrs.  Gilman  's  brother-in-law. 


318  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

The  Disorder  which  has  confined  me  since  the  cef  sation 
of  the  Fever,  has  been  painful  as  you  can  pofsibly  im- 
magine.  This  day  there  has  been  an  intermit' sion  of  pain 
&  I  natter  myself  that  the  worst  is  over.  My  principal 
reliance,  as  to  medicine,  is  on  sulphur  &  Cream  of  Tartar. 
A  surgical  operation  has  been  performed,  but  has  not 
afforded  much  relief.  If  you  should  come  out  with  Col0 
Stone,  pray  be  very  careful  of  your  health. 

Our  Dear  Son  Robert  has  been  as  kind  &  attentive  to 
me,  as  a  person  pofsibly  could  be :  &  I  sometimes  should 
have  despaired,  had  he  not  been  here.  Tell  Chandler  & 
my  dear  little  Boys  that  your  account  of  their  progrefs 
at  School  gives  me  much  pleasure.  I  have  received  an 
excellent  Letter  from  my  worthy  Friend  Mr  Ammidon. 
Please  to  tell  him  that  I  am  yet  too  feeble  to  write  an 
answer.  My  dear  son  Benjamin  must  be  very  much  con- 
fined &  have  a  tedious  time  of  it.  When  Robert  returns 
I  hope  he  will  be  in  some  measure  relieved.  It  is  quite 
healthy  in  this  Town  &  has  been  so  ever  since  my  arrival : 
but  very  sickly  in  many  parts  of  the  Country.  My  pen  & 
ink  are  so  very  bad  that  I  fear  you  will  not  be  able  to  de- 
cypher  this  Letter.  Remember  me  most  dutifully  to  my 
dear  Mother  &  affectionately  to  my  beloved  Children. 
That  Heaven  may  protect  you  all,  is  the  constant  prayer 
of  your  Affectionate  Husband 

Benja  Ives  Gilman 
Dear  Mother  May  9th  1816. 

My  last  letter  I  mentioned  with  Pa 'as  consent  your 
journey  out  to  this  Country,  &  altho'  what  Pa 'a  has  said 
in  this  letter  is  rather  against  your  coming,  I  think  you 
certainly  ought  to  come,  not  on  account  of  his  sicknefs 
for  he  is  now  by  the  blefsing  of  the  Almighty  considered 
almost  well,  &  if  he  hears  you  are  not  coming  he  will  have 
a  much  greater  anxiety  about  his  family  &  will  I  have  no 
doubt  set  out  too  soon  for  home  —  but  if  you  should  come 
he  will  be  relieved  from  great  anxiety  &  of  course,  will 
stay  for  you  to  make  a  visit  &  which  will  enable  him  to 
get  entirely  well  before  he  goes.  &  your  being  with  him 
he  will  go  much  more  leisurely  home  when  once  started 
than  he  otherwise  would.  In  haste  yrs  etc 

Robert. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  319 

233 
About  1816,  Arthur  and  Winthrop  S.  Gilman,  little 
boys  of  ten  and  eight  respectively,  were  sent  to  Mr.  Pen- 
nell's  farm  near  Philadelphia,  where  the  butter  for  the 
family  was  made.  These  letters,  in  very  childish  hand- 
writings, were  carefully  preserved  by  their  mother. 

Arthur  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

Friday  afternoon 

My  dear  Mother 

We  arrived  here  about  5  o'clock  on  Wednesday  in  good 
health,  after  a  pretty  good  jolting  in  the  market  cart.  It 
is  a  handso[me]  brick  house  surrounded  with  trees  and 
on  [torn]  of  a  hill,  Our  break  [fast  we]  have  at  6 
o'clock  dinner  at  12,  &  supper  at  6.  I  cannot  write  much 
as  I  have  just  finish 'd  eating.  Preserves,  ham,  apples, 
custard  pudding  &c,  &c  When  you  answer  this  I  want 
you  to  tell  me  about  the  fever  as  they  have  a  report  here 
of  its  being  very  sickly  in  Philadelphia.  Give  my  love  to 
all  the  family  in  which  Winthrop  joins— Your  affection- 
ate son  AG : 
PS  burn  this 

Excuse  it  as  I  was  in  a  great  hurry  &  a  very  bad  pen 

AG 
H  Gilman  No  The  first  letter  my  dear  little 

No  106  Arch  Sl  boy  ever  wrote  HG 

Philada  Highly  prized  by  his  mother 

234 
Winthrop  S.  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman,  Phil- 
adelphia, Pa. 

The  first  letter  my  dear 

little  boy  ever  wrote. 
Highly  priz'd  by  his  mother 

HG. 
August  11. 

My  dear  Mother 

I  received  your  letter  of  the  9  Stating  the  arrival  of 
Joseph  which  Pleased  Me  very  much.    You  wished  me 


320  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

to  tell  yow  how  we  enjoyed  ourselves  that  is  of  course 
very  well.  Arthur  begins  to  get  a  little  tired  having 
nothing  to  do.  last  Sunday  we  did  not  go  to  church  but 
stayed  in  our  room  reading.  We  have  not  seen  Mr  D. 
as  he  has  not  been  to  see  Mr  Pennell.  We  received  the 
shirts  and  handkercheifs.  I  wish  that  you  would  send 
by  Mr  Pennell  my  black  Pantaloons  and  coat  Saturday 
for  I  expect  to  go  to  church,  give  my  love  to  Joseph, 
and  family  to  Mrs  Sargent  and  her  family  I  remain 
your  Affectionate  Son  W  S  Gilman 

235 

Thomas  Lippincott  became  a  Presbyterian  under 
the  influence  of  his  wife  but  this  document  shows  the 
Quaker  trend  of  thought. 

An  agreement  between  Thos  Lippincott  and  Patty  Swift 

on  their  wedding  day. 

Considering  that  all  our  actions  ought  to  tend  to  the 
Glory  of  God,  that  the  union  which  we  propose  entering 
this  day  into  is  a  state  peculiarly  important,  that  it  is  the 
bounden  duty  of  every  one,  particularly  (but  not  exclu- 
sively) those  who  have  taken  upon  them  the  name  of  the 
Blessed  Jesus,  to  walk  humbly  and  with  circumspection, 
and  that  our  frail  nature  is  too  apt  to  require  more  man- 
ifest (although  not  stronger)  ties  to  bind  us  in  the  per- 
formance of  our  duty :  As  also  that  we  may  have  a  con- 
stant remembrance  before  us;  We  do  hereby  in  humble 
reliance  on  the  Divine  support  for  which  we  ardently 
pray,  engage  to  ourselves  and  each  other,  that  we  will  to 
the  best  of  our  abilities,  with  the  afsistance  of  God,  ob- 
serve and  perform  the  following  mutual  covenant. 

First  —  We  will  enter  into  the  married  state  with,  as 
far  as  pofsible  pure  and  proper  motives,  and  a  deter- 
mination to  live  to  and  for  each  other  in  the  bonds  of 
pure  love,  cemented,  enlarged  and  sanctified  by  the  hope 
we  have  in  Christ  our  Redeemer ! 

2.  We  will  as  much  as  in  us  lies,  avoid  all  jealousies, 
bickerings  or  acrimonious  feelings  toward  each  other, 
using  gentle  admonition  rather  than  abrupt  reproof,  and 
cherishing  harmony  and   affection.     3.     We  will  never 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  321 

(when  in  a  proper  situation  for  the  performance  of  it) 
omit  the  daily  worship  of  God  in  our  family,  not  ever  lie 
down  at  night  without  having  jointly  or  separately  put 
up  our  petition  to  the  God  of  our  Salvation,  that  He  will 
enable  us  to  avoid  every  thing  that  may  tend  to  weaken 
our  love  to  Jesus,  or  to  each  other. 

4.  Industry  and  frugality  are  ever  necefsary:  But  in 
an  uncommon  manner  indispensible  with  us.  We  will 
therefore  encourage  each  other  in  the  performance  of  our 
several  avocations,  and  be  content  although  our  house 
may  not  be  splemdid,  nor  our  board  superabundant. 
"Better  is  a  little  with  righteousnefs,  than  great  rev- 
enues without  right,"    Prov.  16th.  8 

5  We  will  endeavour  to  banish  noise  or  unseemly  mirth 
from  our  dwelling  —  while  the  cheering  sound  of  God's 
praises  shall  enliven  our  hours  of  leisure. 

6  Our  lips  shall  constantly  have  the  guard  of  discretion 
set  over  them;  Especially  we  will  avoid  conversing  of 
our  neighbours  faults  or  follies,  lest  while  viewing  their 
sins  we  forget  our  own. 

7  Should  it  please  God  to  give  us  children,  we  will  in  all 
things  endeavour  to  rear  them  in  His  fear,  never  suffering 
parental  affection  to  prevent  the  performance  of  our 
duty  —  at  the  same  time  studiously  avoiding  sudden  paf- 
sion  and  untimely  severity:  But  most  particularly  re- 
member that  "Example  is  better  than  precept."  8. 
While  we  cherish  love  to  each  other,  we  will  not  suffer 
our  hearts  to  grow  cold  to  the  social  duties  of  life,  "using 
hospitality  without  grudging"  and  performing  the  vari- 
ous offices  of  social  intercourse  with  cheerfulnefs  and 
alacrity. 

9  Although  we  will  not  entirely  withdraw  from  the 
world,  yet  will  we  particularly  encourage  acquaintance 
with  the  followers  of  the  Lamb,  that  we  may,  as  much  as 
the  corruption  of  our  hearts  will  admit  "the  communion 
of  saints",  realize  it  to  our  souls  comfort, 
10.  We  will  endeavour  to  put  unbounded  confidence  in 
Providence;   being   afsured   that   "He   doth   all   things 

well".— 

And  in  this  confidence  we  do  this  day  dedicate  our- 
selves, our  time,  services,  faculties  and  powers,  to  Him, 


322  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

the  All-wise  disposer  of  events,  sincerely  praying  that  His 
blefsing  may  rest  upon  our  union  of  love,  and  that  after 
He  shall  have  carried  us  through  the  varying  scenes  of 
this  life(  in  which  we  humbly  pray  that  we  may  be  com- 
pletely resigned  to  His  will)  We  may  be  again  united  in 
that  World  of  love  where  God  Himself  fills  every  soul 
with  fullnefs  of  love,  joy,  gratitude  and  delight. — 
Lumberland.  August  15th  1816  —  Thos  Lippincott 

Patty  Swift 

236 

Ben j.  Ives  Oilman's  second  daughter,  Rebecca,  was 
married  on  November  3,  1817,  at  her  father's  home  in 
Philadelphia,  to  John  S.  Miller,  a  planter  of  Lebanon, 
Miss.  When  they  went  to  the  south,  they  visited  Gov- 
ernor and  Mrs.  Sargent  at  Gloster  Place,  a  fine  old  house 
in  Natchez,  for  several  months  before  going  to  their  own 
plantation. 

Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Kingsley,  Nashville, 
Tenn. 

Copy  of  a  letter  written  to  Mrs  Kingsley  — 
A  thousand  thanks  are  due  my  dear  Mrs  Kingsley  for 
your  agreeable  and  excellent  letter.  When  we  parted 
you  was  so  kind  as  to  say  you  would  write  us  on  your 
arrival  at  Nashville  —  and  I  have  long  been  expecting 
the  pleasure  of  a  line  and  I  af sure  you  as  your  health  was 
extremely  delicate,  had  my  fears  that  you  had  left  this 
world  of  sin  and  sorrow,  to  be  forever  with  the  lord.  $  But 
0  how  were  they  dissipated  on  the  receipt  of  your  friend- 
ly letter.  As  I  perused  it,  my  heart  reciprocated  in  all 
your  sorrows,  and  in  all  your  Joys. —  When  I  found  what 
the  Lord  had  done  for  your  best  of  friends  I  exclaim* 
aloud  0  "what  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord,  for  all  his 
mercies."  Surely  "this  is  the  Lords  doings  and  mar- 
velous in  our  eyes."  I  have  often  thought  my  dear 
friend  —  and  0  have  I  not  found  by  experience  that 
Afflictions  though  they  may  seem  severe  —  Yet  do  they 
not  bring  us  near  to  God.  Let  us  praise  him  for  what  he 
has  done  for  your  husband  —  and  plead  with  him  for  the 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  323 

salvation  of  others.  I  was  ready  to  say  when  perusing 
your  letter,  hast  thou  but  one  blefsing?  Blefs  mine  — 
even  my  husband  —  0  my  father.  I  know  that  his  hand 
is  not  shortned  that  it  cannot  save  —  neither  is  his  ear 
heavy  that  it  cannot  hear.  I  know  that  he  can  brake  in 
pieces  the  stoutest  heart.  His  mercies  are  Infinite. 
Blefsed  be  his  name,  for  a  throne  of  grace.  0  what  a 
prevaledge  that  we  are  allow*5,  worthless  as  we  are  to 
come  to  his  footstool  —  spread  our  wants  before  him,  and 
in  faith  plead  for  mercies  for  our  husband's  &  children 
and  hope  for  a  blefsing.  I  desire  to  be  grateful  to  a  holy 
God,  that  he  has,  I  humbly  trust,  given  me  a  heart  to  give 
myself  —  my  husband  —  my  children  —  and  all  I  have  — 
to  him,  to  be  disposed  of  as  he  see's  best  —  and  to  lie  in 
his  hands,  as  clay  in  the  hands  of  the  Potter.  If  he,  in 
his  infinite  wisdom  see's  fit  to  withhold  the  blef sings  I 
want  —  0  may  I  feel  that  humble  submifsion  becoming  a 
child  of  God  —  rejoice  that  he  has  the  disposal  of  me  & 
mine  —  and  say  not  my  will  —  but  thine  be  done.  It  gave 
me  pain  to  hear  that  Mr  Blackburn  had  left  Nashville, 
because  I  think  him  a  faithful  servant  of  Christ's  —  and 
I  know  also,  that  he  was  a  favourite  preacher  of  yours. 
How  misterious  are  the  ways  of  Providence.  Religion 
my  friend  is  at  present  in  a  low  state  with  us.  Pro- 
fefsors  are  cold  —  and  vice  abounds.  There  is  however, 
a  praying  few  who  meet  in  various  parts  of  the  city,  and 
say  with  Jacob  —  we  will  not  let  thee  go  —  except  thou 
blefs  us.  May  the  Lord  hear  their  prayers,  and  gra- 
ciously send  us  a  revival  from  his  presence.  You  kindly 
ask  for  my  family  —  Mr  Gilman  has  gone  into  the  west- 
ern country.  Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  — 
our  dear  daughter  Rebecca  has  married — and  is  settled 
at  Natchez. 

I  took  the  liberty  to  show  your  letter  to  Mrs  Ralston,  & 
Mrs  Latimer.  We  mixd  our  tears  together,  and  I  trust 
can  unite  our  praises  with  you,  to  our  great  Redeemer. — 
I  am  sorry  to  say  Mrs  Ralston  is  in  poor  health.  She 
smiled  upon  me  and  said,  I  am  going  —  &  if  I  can  only 
get  a  house  built  for  the  poor  widows — no  matter  how 
soon.  She  has  a  complication  of  disorders  and  is  often 
confined  to  her  chamber. —  Such  characters,  dear  Mr" 
Kingsley  —  we  want  to  retain. 


324  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

My  Mother  &  family  unite  with  me  in  kind  remembrance 
to  yourself  &  Mr  Kingsley.  Tell  your  beloved  husband  to 
go  on  in  the  strength  of  Jehovah,  and  he  will  hereafter 
obtain  a  crown  of  immortal  glory.  And  if  we  are  never 
more  to  see  each  other  in  this  life  may  we  be  prepared  to 
spend  an  eternity  together  in  that  world  where  there  is 
no  sin,  where  nothing  impure  can  enter,  and  where  we 
shall  be  forever  with  our  blefsed  saviour.  It  would  give 
me  great  pleasure  to  hear  from  you  occasionly,  accept 
dear  madam  the  best  wishes  and  prayers  for  your  happi- 
nefs  from  your  sincere  friend  H  Gilman 

237 
Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman  to  Mrs.  Joseph  Battell,  Nor- 
folk, Conn.1 

Philadelphia  24th  Jany  1817 
Often  my  dear  cousin  since  we  parted,  have  I  thought 
of  you  both  and  the  agreeable  interview  we  had,  which 
now  appears  like  a  pleasing  dream.  I  have  frequently 
determined  to  write  even  before  I  received  your  last  let- 
ter, informing  me  of  the  birth  of  another  daughter,  and 
now  give  me  leave  to  congratulate  you  on  that  happy 
event. —  May  its  precious  life  be  spared,  may  it  be  a  bless- 
ing to  its  parents  and  an  ornament  to  the  Church. — 

You  recollect  my  dear  Cousin  that  you  left  us  in  great 
trouble,  tho  not  without  hope. —  About  the  first  of  May 
my  beloved  husband  recovered  so  slowly  and  became  so 
depressed  in  spirits  that  he  consented  I  should  be  sent 
for  to  nurse  and  accompany  him  home,  should  his  life 
be  spared.  I  accordingly  left  Philadelphia  in  company 
with  Coll.  Stone,  (one  of  our  old  neighbors)  and  arrived 
there  in  safety  —  and  found  him  much  better  than  I  ex- 
pected.—  And  from  the  conversation  which  my  fond 
heart  long'd  to  introduce,  had  a  hope  that  he  had  pafsed 
from  death  into  life.     He  was  not  sufficiently  recruited  to 

i  MS.  owned  by  Mrs.  Jane  (Coe)  Brant,  Rolla,  Mo.  Mrs.  Brant  is  a 
granddaughter  of  Mrs.  John  S.  Miller,  and  a  daughter  of  the  little  Eliza- 
beth Miller  who  was  the  object  of  Mrs.  Benj.  Ives  Gilman 's  care  for  so 
long.  Elizabeth  married  Eev.  Henry  S.  Coe  and  lived  in  St.  Louis  during 
her  later  years. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  325 

bear  the  journey,  until  August,  at  which  time  we  left 
Marietta  and  thro  the  care  of  a  merciful  God  we  arrived 
in  safety  at  our  own  house. —  And  0  what  an  affecting 
and  happy  meeting  we  had. —  I  was  ready  to  exclaim 
what  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits.  Sure- 
ly goodness  and  mercy  have  followed  me  all  my  days. — 
My  mind  dwelt  much  on  the  mercy's  of  my  God,  to  such 
a  great  sinner. —  But  0  my  dear  Cousin  how  soon  we 
come  down  from  the  mount. —  Company,  family  cares 
and  church  dissentions,  how  they  divide  my  wav'ring 
mind  and  leave  but  half  for  God. — 

We  have  indeed  had  a  time  of  tryal.  On  our  arrival 
we  found  the  Church  in  the  greatest  confusion.  All  the 
Elders  and  all  the  leading  characters  in  the  Church  were 
disaffected  towards  Mr.  Skinner,  in  consequence  of  some 
imprudent  expressions  in  two  or  three  sermons,  which 
led  them  to  think  he  had  alter 'd  his  sentiments  and  be- 
come a  Hopkinsian.1  The  alarm  spread  like  fire  and 
nothing  was  talked  of  but  Hopkinsian  HERESY  —  One 
or  two  of  the  brethren  went  to  him,  and  he  presented  his 
sermons  which  they  examined  and  found  nothing  repre- 
hensible. By  this  time  the  Church  were  divided,  one 
party  for  Dr.  Janeway,  the  other  for  Mr.  Skinner.  Mr. 
S's  friends  were  so  anxious  least  he  should  be  dismifsed 
from  the  Church  that  they  became  so  prejudiced  against 

Dr.  J y  they  could  not  bare  to  hear  him  speak.     On 

the  contrary,  the  other  party  were  determined  Mr.  S 
should  leave  the  Church.  It  was  then  thought  best  for 
the  session  to  wait  on  Mr.  Skinner  and  advise  him,  for 
the  peace  of  the  Church,  to  give  up  his  pastoral  union. — 
Mr.  S  asked  them  if  they  had  any  charge  to  bring  against 
him  —  to  which  they  reply 'd  in  the  negative.  He  then 
said  he  could  not  consent  to  that  mode  of  proceeding — 
and  if  they  left  the  Church,  they  must  bring  him  to  tryal. 
They  then  call'd  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  —  with- 
out any  tryal. —  The  question  was:  As  we  believe  it  is 
for  the  grace  of  the  Church,  shall  the  pastoral  relation 
between  the   Rev.   T.   H.    Skinner   and  his   Church  be 

i  Eev.  Samuel  Hopkins,  a  student  under  Jonathan  Edwards,  published  in 
1793  a  "System  of  Doctrines  contained  in  Divine  Revelation  Explained 
and  Defended." 


326  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

disolved. — The  other  party  being  the  most  numerous  the 
vote  was  carried  against  him.  A  meeting  was  then  call'd 
of  the  presbytery  who  advised  Mr.  Skinner,  for  the  peace 
of  the  Church,  to  leave  them.  And  voted  that  everything 
that  had  passed  on  both  sides  should  be  eraced  from  the 
records  of  the  Church  and  buried  in  oblivion. —  And  Mr. 
S  was  to  have  his  salary  continued  until  he  was  settled. 
He  submitted,  and  was  difmifsed.  Immediately  on  his 
difmifsion,  the  Pastor  of  the  3rd  Presbiterian  Church 
ask'd  a  dismifsion  from  his  church  on  account  of  ill 
health,  and  recommended  Mr.  Skinner  to  his  people  who 
gave  him  a  call,  which  he  accepted  and  is  now  install 'd 
pastor  of  that  Church.  60  of  our  communicants  have 
withdrawn  and  join'd  his  Church.     In  all  140. 

Now  my  beloved  cousin  you  will  naturally  ask,  which 
party  do  you  belong  to?  Neither.  As  soon  as  we  re- 
turned I  found  what  a  situation  the  Church  was  in.  Mr. 
G.  said  that  as  we  were  strangers,  he  thought  it  most 
proper  for  us  to  be  perfectly  neutral.  So  we  have  heard 
the  stories  and  witnefs'd  the  feelings  of  both  parties  and 
kept  them  in  our  own  bosoms.  The  greatest  number  of 
our  acquaintances  were  of  Mr.  S's  party.  And  we  have 
been  obliged  to  hear  many  bitter  and  unchristian  speeches 
from  some  who  profess  much.  And  I  fear  it  has  had  a 
very  serious  effect  on  the  mind  of  the  best  of  friends. 
He  now  says  —  if  these  people  are  christians,  I  shall 
never  be  a  christian.  His  anxious,  enquiring  mind  is  at 
rest.  The  blessed  spirit  whom  I  had  reason  to  think  was 
striving  with  him  seems  to  have  left  him.  But,  my 
cousin, —  what  a  consoling  thought  —  The  Lord  reigns 
and  can  over  rule  all  for  his  glory  and  the  good  of  his 
creatures.  His  hand  is  not  shortned  that  it  cannot  save. 
Neither  is  his  ear  heavy  that  it  cannot  hear.  Pray  for 
him,  my  dear,  and  pray  for  worthlefs  me. —  I  feel  alone. 
We  have  a  large  family  of  dear  children,  all  eager  for 
the  amusements  of  this  world  —  none  but  myself  to  allure 
them  to  Jesus.  0  for  grace  to  discharge  this  great  duty. 
I  am  ready  to  say,  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things. —  I 
have  felt  very  much  deprest  since  Mr.  S  left  the  Church. 
You  know,  my  dear  cousin,  he  was  my  favorite  minister. 
It  was  my  constant  prayer  that  God  would  heal  the 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  327 

breaches  in  the  Church  and  take  him  not  away  from  us, 
and  for  a  long  time  I  felt  as  if  I  could  not  give  him  up. — 
But  as  we  had  taken  the  neutral  ground,  Mr.  G  said  he 
couldn't  leave  the  Church. —  So  I  have  lost  my  favorite, 
but  its  all  for  the  best.  Perhaps  I  lean'd  too  much  on 
my  minister  and  forgot,  at  times,  my  Heavenly  Father. 

Doct.  J y  is  an  amiable  man  and  pious  christian,  but 

to  me  a  dull  and  lifeless  preacher.  Do,  my  dear,  accept 
of  my  thanks  for  the  excellent  sermon.  Tis  indeed  a 
treat.  What  a  pious  man  he  must  be. —  I  rejoice  that  he 
is  there.  0  may  he  prove  a  blessing  to  that  people,  and 
may  the  mantle  of  Elijah  rest  upon  him.  When  you  see 
my  dear  cousin  Thomas x  do  insist  that  he  make  us  a  visit, 
at  the  sitting  of  the  General  Assembly.  And  tell  him  to 
let  me  know  in  season,  that  I  may  not  take  any  into  my 
family.  Tell  my  dear  Aunt 2  there  is  none  living  I  want 
to  see  so  much  as  herself. —  Remember  me  affectionately 
to  Mr.  Battell  and  all  my  cousins.  I  suppose  cousin 
Nat'l  is  with  you  —  I  have  not  seen  him  but  once  since 
August.  Brother  Sam  is  well  and  prosperous. —  His 
congregation  is  more  numerous  and  more  attentive  — 
several  additions  to  the  Church  and  great  attention  to 
religion.  You  see,  my  dear  Sally,  I  have  written  as  your 
requested,  very  particularly.  Mr.  G,  my  mother  and  the 
girls  unite  with  me  in  love  to  you  all.  Mr  G  says  there 
has  not  been  a  sale  of  plate  since  you  left  us,  or  he  should 
have  attended  to  your  memorandum.  I  dont  know  when 
I  felt  more  gratified  than  on  receiving  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Flint,  who  I  find  has  made  you  a  visit.  0  he  is  a  precious 
man. 

Farewell  my  dear  cousin,  that  we  may  again  soon  meet 
is  the  prayer  of  your  Affectionate  H  G 

P.  S.  Your  little  Mr  Ely  belongs  to  the  Phila  Presbe- 
tery.  Each  take  their  turn  to  preach  instalation  ser- 
mons. It  was  his  turn.  He  ivas  one  of  Mr  Skinners 
greatest  oposers.     Now  he  thinks  he  has  been  persecuted. 


1  Rev.  Thomas  Robbing,  the  diarist;  Mrs.  Battell 's  brother. 

2  Mrs.  Ammi  Ruhamah  Robbins,  Mrs.  Battell 's  mother. 


328  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

238 
Joseph  Gilman  to  Chandler  R.  Gilman,  Andover,  Mass.1 

[probably  1817] 
[Dear  Chanjdler 

I  well  recollect  what  delight  it  used  to  afford  me,  when 
at  Andover,  to  have  a  letter  from  home.  The  Post  Office, 
when  I  was  at  the  Academy,  was  kept  near  a  mile  from 
the  Institution,  on  the  road  to  Haverhill  very  near  old 
Professor  Pearson's.  And  I  have  not  forgotten  the  long 
walks  I  used  to  take  down  there,  and  on  reaching  the 
office,  find  I  had  no  letter.  I  can  therefore  easily  con- 
ceive your  feelings ;  and  set  down  to  offer  you  one  letter ; 
which,  however  poor  —  still,  its  from  home.  I  am  writ- 
ting  at  our  Market  Street  window, —  the  noisey  market 
at  my  elbow,  and  the  old  shrill  cry  of  "buy  any  peaches," 
"hot  corn"  —  "pepper  pot  right  hot",  stunning  my  ears. 
So,  should  you  attempt  a  critique  upon  my  letter,  you 
will  make  due  allowance  for  all  these  untoward  circum- 
stances. Your  letter  from  Andover  of  22d  ultimo,  was 
duly  recd  —  as  also  one  to  Papa  of  same  date.  There 
was  one  little  book  in  my  drawer  at  Cambridge  which  I 
intended  to  put  a  veto  on  your  taking — it  is  a  very  valu- 
able little  pocket  Horace:  in  red  morocco  binding — hope 
you  have  not  taken  it  to  Andover  —  as  I  wish  for  it  very 
much  at  home,  and  it  would  never  answer  for  an  Acad- 
emy, [torn]  very  much  [torn]  progress  [torn]  and 
will  [torn]  fears,  soon  —  Papa,  you  know,  left  us  last 
Thursday  week  on  his  journey  through  the  western  coun- 
try. We  hope  he  is  now  at  Marietta,  where  he  will  prob- 
ably spend  the  winter,  boarding,  we  trust,  with  Mr  Whit- 
ney. It  would  gratify  him  very  much  indeed,  to  receive 
a  letter  from  you,  giving  an  account  of  your  situation  — 
how  you  like  Andover  —  your  Studies  &c  &c  —  Make  him 
a  long  letter,  and  direct  it  to  "Marietta,  Point  Harmar 
Post  Office,  Ohio"  —  We  received  a  letter  from  him  at 
Bedford  Pa  (about  half  way  to  Pittsburgh)  He  expected 
to  be  in  Pittsburgh  on  Wednesday  last,  and  at  Marietta, 

i  MS.  loaned  by  W.  Stewart  Gilman,  Sioux  City,  Iowa.  William  Stewart 
Gilman  is  a  grandson  of  Dr.  Chandler  R.  Gilman,  being  the  son  of  the  late 
Daniel  Trimble  and  Mary   (Stewart)   Gilman. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  329 

in  a  few  days  after.  We  had  a  letter  from  Rebecca  this 
morning.  All  well,  and  happy.  Mr  Washington  Sar- 
gent left  us,  on  his  return  to  Cambridge,  on  tuesday  of 
last  week.  We  expect  he  arrives  at  Boston  this  evening. 
He  has  an  epistle  for  you  from  Eliza.  In  your  letter  to 
Papa  you  mention  having  written  him  from  Boston,  but 
the  letter  was  never  received.  In  your  next  letter  to  me 
(which  must  be  soon,  but  not  at  all  interfering  with  your 
studies)  you  must  give  me  a  particular  account  of  the 
minutiae  of  your  situation,  studies,  progress  &c  &c  &° 
You  know  every  particular,  concerning  Andover,  the 
Academy  and  Mr  Adams,  will  be  interesting  to  me.  Also 
give  an  account  of  your  funds  &  expenses:  you  must 
learn,  with  all,  to  become  something  of  a  financier,  [torn] 
you  [torn]  you  try  [torn]  ards?  [torn]  Mrs  Blanchard 
[is  one]  of  the  very  [best]  women  in  Andover.  If  you 
know  her,  remember  me  very  kindly  to  her,  Mr  B  and 
family.  Do  you  know  Mr  Samuel  Merrill  —  he  is  one  of 
the  excellent  of  the  earth  —  if  not  yet  acquainted  with 
him,  I  can  give  you  a  letter  of  introduction  —  I  intended 
to  have  done  it  when  you  left  us.  He  was  my  private  in- 
structor :  and  is  a  man  I  shall  always  delight  to  see.  Our 
family  are  all  very  well  and  each  send  you  a  great  deal 
of  love.  All  that  remains  for  me  to  desire,  is,  that  you 
make  the  greatest  possible  exertions  to  progress  rapidly 
in  your  studies :  and  to  [learn]  your  lessons  so  perfect, 
that  Mr  Adams  will  delight  [to  hear]  you  recite.  Very 
much  indeed,  depends  on  your  getting  your  lessons  per- 
fectly—  the  first  term.  You  can  in  no  possible  way  in- 
gratiate yourself  so  well  with  Mr  Adams  as  by  correct 
conduct,  and  giving  him  (or  his  assistant,  and  then  it 
goes  right  to  Mr  A's  ears)  elegant  recitations,  while  you 
are  now  becoming  acquainted  with  him.  I  see  Mr  Porter 
preached  the  sermon  at  the  opening  the  new  Chapel.  0 
I  should  have  delighted  to  have  heard  it  —  it  must  have 
been  excellent  indeed.  I  suppose  you  hear  Mr  Porter,  Mr 
Stuart  and  Doctr  Woods:  Did  you  ever  hear  such  ad- 
mirable preaching?  I  would  give  a  great  deal  to  be  by 
your  side  every  Sunday.  Give  my  best  regards  to  Mr 
Adams.  Your  affectionate  Brother 

Joseph  Oilman 
[I  sup] pose  you  never  thing  of  going  to  bed  before 


330  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

twelve  —  and  light  your  candle  again  at  5  in  [the]  morn- 
ing. I  make  it  a  rule  never  to  quote  from  memory,  and 
my  Virgil  is  not  at  hand,  or  I  would  give  [his]  elegant 
advice  about  the  midnight  lamp  —  Will  keep  it  for  an- 
other letter. 

238 

Again  Thomas  Lippincott  and  his  wife  come  into  the 
correspondence.  Their  daughter  was  born  July  3,  1817, 
at  Lumberland,  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  named 
Abiah  Swift  for  Mrs.  Lippincott 's  sister.  On  the  28th 
of  October  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lippincott 
took  their  three-months-old  baby  and  started  for  Pitts- 
burgh in  a  one-horse  wagon,  to  meet  Mr.  Lippincott 's 
brother  Samuel. 

The  best  time  for  setting  out  on  this  journey  across 
the  mountains  was  in  the  early  fall,  as  the  roads  were 
drier  and  provisions  and  feed  cheaper.  Rough  wagons 
were  specially  constructed  to  carry  the  belongings  of  the 
travelers,  some  of  which  were  springless  and  had  a  rock- 
er nailed  on  for  the  comfort  of  the  mother.  Easton,  Pa., 
was  on  the  favorite  route  westward  for  New  Englanders 
and,  it  is  said,  511  wagons  with  3,066  persons,  sometimes 
accompanied  with  their  cattle,  passed  through  the  place 
in  one  month  of  this  year,  1817. 

Mr.  Lippincott 's  description  of  the  roads  sounds  mild 
when  compared  with  those  of  Margaret  Van  Horn 
Dwight,  whose  Journey  from  Connecticut  to  Ohio  was 
taken  in  1810.  She  gives  lively  pictures  of  the  depth  of 
mud,  etc.,  which  she  encountered  and  many  were  the 
amusing  tales  told  by  travelers  about  this  road.  It  be- 
came in  time  so  bad,  that  when  Baltimore  took  advantage 
of  the  situation  and  constructed  a  fine,  well-kept  road 
to  Wheeling,  travel  was  immediately  diverted  and  Phil- 
adelphia lost  her  former  preeminence  as  the  business 
center  for  Western  merchants.     In  Arthur  Gilman's  let- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  331 

ter  to  his  brother  Chandler  of  October  21,  1823,  he  writes 
of  going  over  this  new  road  for  the  first  time  and  of  the 
(then)  unusually  short  time  the  journey  took. 

The  "elegant  bridge"  at  Easton  gives  us  a  vision 
which  is  not  fulfilled  by  Miss  Dwight's  description.  She 
says:  "The  bridge  over  it  (the  Delaware)  is  elegant  I 
think.  —  It  is  covered  and  has  16  windows  on  each  side. ' ' 

At  the  time  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Lippincott's  death, 
in  1869,  a  full  pencilled  diary  of  this  journey  was 
in  existence  and  extracts  were  then  made  for  an 
obituary  in  the  Presbytery  Reporter  of  ^llton,  111. 
The  diary  has  been  lost,  but  we  take  the  substance  of  it 
from  the  Reporter  as  the  detailed  descriptions  are  inter- 
esting because  many  of  the  family  had  traveled  over  the 
same  route  and,  we  presume,  had  had  quite  as  severe  ex- 
periences. The  mysterious  part  of  the  journey  is  that 
the  baby  survived  it,  and  not  only  that,  but  lived  to  a 
beautiful  old  age  as  the  wife  and  widow  of  Winthrop  S. 
Gilman,  having  had  unusually  good  health  during  most 
of  her  eighty-four  years.  Several  names  are  left  blank 
in  this  transcription,  because  they  were  illegible. 

The  first  day  the  travellers  went  eight  miles;  the  sec- 
ond, twenty,  and  at  the  end  of  the  third  day  they  were 
in  Sussex  County,  New  Jersey.  On  October  31,  they 
reached  Hope,  in  Warren  County,  and  Mr.  Lippincott 
begins : 

Weather  unfavorable,  threatening  a  long  storm,  Coun- 
try pleasant. 

Nov.  1.     Very  dreary  morning;  cold  and  unpleasant. 

An  old  acquaintance  of  Mrs.  L.,  Dr.  located  at 

Hope,  in  good  and  extensive  practice.  "As  iron  sharp- 
eneth  iron,  so  doth  a  man  the  countenance  of  his  friend." 

Nov.  2  Sabbath  Morning.  Still  detained  at  Hope  by 
the  rain,  which,  however,  seems  less  violent.  Propose 
attempting  a  start.  At  this  place  we  were  very  kindly 
entertained  in  the  family  of  a  hospitable  farmer.     Mr. 


332  A  FAMILY  HISTOKY 

Nov.  2,  Arrived  at  Easton,  Penn.  Dark  when  we 
passed  over  the  elegant  bridge,  and  we  were  thereby  pre- 
vented from  viewing  it.    22  miles. 

Nov.  3d.  Arrived  five  miles  west  of  Allentown,  Lehigh 
County.  Miserable  entertainment.  Sign  of  three  kegs. 
Initiated  into  the  ancient  and  no  doubt  respectable  cus- 
tom of  sleeping  under  the  bed.    Traveled  23  miles. 

Nov.  4th.  Traveled  23  miles.  On  the  5th  we  were  at 
Womelsdorf,  having  passed  through  Reading,  13y2  miles. 
On  the  6th,  at  3  P.M.,  we  reached  Lebanon,  14  miles,  when 
a  heavy  rain  induced  us  to  put  up.  Lebanon  is  the  shire- 
town  of  Lebanon  County  with  a  court  house  of  brick. 
On  the  7th  we  came  to  Hummelstown,  16  miles.  The 
roads  are  so  heavy  that  it  is  very  tedious  and  fatiguing 
traveling.  On  the  8th  we  reached  Harrisburg,  9  miles. 
Stopped  to  try  to  get  some  of  our  load  taken  on.  Sur- 
veyed the  public  buildings  and  a  bridge  over  the  Susque- 
hannah.  Tarried  at  Harrisburg  until  noon  of  the  10th, 
when  we  came  on  11  miles.  Roads  worse  and  worse. 
Very  dark  before  could  get  into  harbor.  On  the  11th  we 
arrived  at  Stoughstown,  18y2  miles.  Very  disobliging 
people  at  the  tavern. 

On  the  12th  arrived  at Valley,    Stayed  at — 

They  were  cross  and  disagreeable.  On  the  13th  we 
reached  Fort  Middleton,  14  miles.  On  the  14th  Mr.  Web- 
ster's town,  Providence.  Bedford  County,  15  miles;  on 
the  15th  we  arrive  at  Bedford,  16  miles.  A  chain  bridge 
over  the  Juniata,  one  mile  from  Webster's  and  a  new, 
elegant  stone  bridge  over  the  same  river,  one  mile  from 
Bedford.  16th  Set  out  from  Bedford  at  10  A.M.,  and 
arrived  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  at  sundown.  Ap- 
plied as  I  thought  to  the  landlady  at  T.  Burns  and  was 
not  very  politely  refused.  Proceded  up  the  mountain 
and  about  one  mile  up  broke  the  hinder  axle-tree  short 
off.  Got  out  of  the  wagon  and  made  our  way  on  foot  to 
find  a  shelter.  Applied  at  the  house  of  a  blacksmith, 
Henry  Darr,  and  was  very  hospitably,  though  rudely  re- 
ceived by  both  man  and  wife,  although  they  do  not  keep  a 
licensed  tavern,  nor  have  they  accommodations  for  trav- 
elers. 17th.  Took  my  wagon  3  miles  back  to  have  a  new 
axle-tree  put  in.    Very  cold  storm—  sleet  and  rain.    18th. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  333 

Left  Henry  Darr's   at  noon  to   go  up   the  Alleghany. 

Arrived  at  ,  9  miles.     The  last  three  miles  were 

continued  sloughs;  near  miring  several  times.  19th. 
Cold,  blustering  weather.  Set  out  at  9  o'clock  A.M.  and 
arrived  at  Dennison  's  at  the  foot  of  Laurel  Hill,  13  miles. 
Laurel  Hill  still  before  me.  20th.  Set  out  from  Denni- 
son's  to  go  up  the  dreaded  Laurel  Hill,  about  8  o'clock. 
After  a  mile  of  level  road,  but  very  bad  traveling,  owing 
to  the  mud  being  very  deep  and  frozen  just  so  as  to  let 
the  horse  through,  came  to  the  mountain.  Ascended  by 
the  old  road  much  easier  than  I  had  calculated ;  but  found 
the  hill  on  the  west  much  worse  than  the  east.  We,  how- 
ever, got  over  safely  and  proceded  on  to  Youngstown,  20 
miles.  21st.  Set  out  after  9  o'clock  and  after  wading 
through  deep  mud  six  miles,  came  to. the  old  turnpike, 
which  is  much  cut  by  the  heavy  wagons.  Arrived  about 
7  o'clock  at  Mr.  Loumer's,  having  passed  through  Greens- 
burg  and  traveled  this  day  21  miles.  22nd.  Set  out  from 
Mr.  Loumer's  at  7l/2  o'clock  and  after  a  very  fatiguing 
day  as  a  conclusion  to  our  travel  by  land  arrived  at  Pitts- 
burg at  dark.  Disappointment  is  still  our  lot.  Brother 
Samuel  had  started  in  August  or  September  for  St. 
Louis.  We  find  also  that  the  season  is  so  far  advanced 
as  to  make  it  difficult  to  get  a  passage  to  St.  Louis.  We 
remained  in  Pittsburg  until  Monday,  Dec.  1st,  1817,  when 
we  set  out  about  dark  with  Mr.  George  Haven,  wife  and 
family,  Miss  Willis  and  a  number  of  others,  the  whole 
amounting  to  twenty-five  persons  in  a  flat  bottom  boat 
twenty-four  or  twenty-five  feet  long.  It  was  a  Monon- 
gahela  flat-boat 1  about  half  the  length  of  those  generally 
used  at  the  time  in  conveying  produce  to  New  Orleans, 
and  like  them  covered  over  with  a  crowning  roof  which 
was  the  deck  on  which  the  navigators  walked  and  the 
covering  of  a  cabin  below. 

i"The  flat-bottom  boat  is  a  mere  raft,  with  sides  and  a  roof;  .  .  . 
An  immense  oar  is  placed  on  the  roof  on  each  side  near  the  bow  (which 
has  given  these  boats  the  nickname  of  'broad  horns')  and  another  at  the 
stern.  These  are  used  only  to  direct  the  course  of  the  flat,  which  is  al- 
lowed to  float  with  the  current.  .  ."  Letters  from  the  West,  324,  by 
Judge  Hall.  London.  1828.  It  is  said  that  about  one-quarter  of  these  boats 
were  lost  in  transit. 


334  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

The  boat  was  very  much  crowded  and  superlatively 
uncomfortable  by  reason  not  only  of  the  crowd,  the 
freight  and  the  smoke  but  also  of  the  kind  of  company 
we  found  ourselves  in.  Drinking  sailors,  profane  young 
men,  and  vulgar  old  men  and  women.  Such  is  the  society 
we  are  obliged  to  mingle  with  in  a  space  of  about  ten 
feet  square.  We  contrived,  however,  to  fix  a  bed  for  the 
female  part  of  our  particular  company,  consisting  of 
Miss  Willis,  Mrs.  Haven  and  two  children  and  Mrs.  L. 
and  child,  six  persons  in  one  bed.  Mr.  Haven  and  myself 
reserved  a  berth  above  for  ourselves;  but,  owing  to  the 
danger  of  running  at  this  low  stage  of  water,  without  a 
pilot  acquainted  with  the  river,  we  could  get  no  sleep  nor 
even  attempted  to  turn  in  this  night.  After  running 
about  ten  miles  we  laid  by  at  the  foot  of  an  island. 

Dec.  2nd.  Heavy  wind  ahead  and  started  pretty  early, 
but  on  account  of  the  wind,  put  in  awhile.  Shore  rocky. 
Put  off  and  by  hard  pulling  contrived  to  keep  moving 
until  night  and  passed  by  two  boats  of  about  our  own 
dimensions.  Met  two  keel  boats1  ascending  the  river. 
The  shore  of  the  river  thus  far  is  uneven  in  some  places 
mountainous  banks  at  others  flat.  Some  few  log  huts 
scattered  along,  very  rarely  a  good  comfortable  house. 
We  are  near  Beaver.  I  feel  sleepy  but  am  on  the  full 
watch  on  account  of  the  high  wind  and  the  smoky  chim- 
ney.    Have  not  slept  for  forty-two  hours. 

Dec.  3rd.  Weather  unpromising  and  disagreeable; 
high  wind ;  could  not  run  this  day  and  after  toiling  with 
the  oars  a  considerable  time  put  in  having  run  but  four 
miles.    Passed  Beaver  an  inconsiderable  place. 

Dec.  4th.  Very  cold  and  the  river  full  of  ice.  The 
owner  of  the  boat  had  started  when  I  got  up  but  was 
already  endeavoring  to  gain  a  landing  which  we  found 
extremely  difficult.  But  the  danger  of  running  was  so 
great  that  we  must  by  all  means  effect  it  if  possible. 
After  pulling  against  the  ice  and  with  the  assistance  of 
some  people  on  rafts,  which  were  landed,  an  opening  was 
made  in  the  ice  and  we  are  now  snugly  moored  close  to  a 

1  The  keel-boat  had  ' '  an  elegant  form ' '  and  was  propelled  by  ' '  oars, 
sails  and  poles."  It  could  return  up  the  river  against  the  current,  al- 
though sometimes  it  was  pulled  "up-stream  by  the  bushes." 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  335 

bold  shore.  But  while  the  ice  is  rapidly  making  around 
us  and  the  channel  is  full  of  floating  ice  the  prospect  is 
gloomy.     We  made  today  about  six  miles. 

5th.  Weather  getting  colder  and  ice  running  still  more. 
Find  ourselves  likely  to  remain  in  this  place  sometime. 
Went  towards  evening  to  find  a  place  for  our  females  and 
children  and  obtained  the  consent  of  Mrs.  Crail  to  have 
them  take  shelter  in  her  house. 

6th.  Took  the  women  to  Mrs.  Crail's  and  placed  them 
comfortably.  Taking  them  and  the  bedding,  etc,  up  oc- 
cupied the  whole  day. 

7th.  Sabbath.  E'en  Sunday  shines  no  Sabbath  Day 
for  me.  Amidst  thoughtless  and  even  profane  people 
the  conversation  is  of  a  disagreeable  unprofitable  nature. 
No  time  for  meditation.  "Wo  is  me,  for  I  dwell  in  the 
tents  of  Kedar." 

8th.  The  weather  more  moderate  and  hope  begins  to 
brighten.  Took  a  walk  to  Georgetown,  five  miles  for  the 
purpose  of  sending  a  letter  to  Dr.  Swift. 

Georgetown  is  situated  upon  the  left  bank  of  the  Ohio 
on  a  plain  considerably  elevated  above  the  water  but  the 
houses  generally  look  decayed  and  the  place  is  insignifi- 
cant. Returned  to  the  boat  and  found  the  owner  and 
hands  preparing  to  start  on  the  morrow. 

9th.  Set  out  early  in  the  morning:  weather  pleasant 
and  ice  much  diminished  in  quantity.  Run  21  miles  and 
landed  just  below  Neaslys  cluster  of  islands  on  the  Vir- 
ginia side. 

10th.  Put  off  again.  Pleasant  weather,  promising 
rain.  Mr.  Haven  and  myself  with  two  others  went  off 
from  the  boat  and  went  to  Steubenville  Ohio,  to  get  pro- 
visions. Steubenville  is  a  pretty  smart  place  of  consid- 
erable business.     Saw  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H formerly  of 

Pittsburg.  They  sent  their  regards  to  brother  Samuel. 
Rode  off  to  the  boat  again  and  run  29  miles  to  within  two 
miles  of  Charlestown.    Landed  on  the  Ohio  side. 

11th.  Passed  Charlestown  in  the  morning:  so  foggy 
that  we  could  not  see  the  houses  distinctly.  Passed 
Wheeling.  Nearly  opposite  Wheeling  on  the  Ohio  side 
is  the  village  of  Canton.  Wheeling  is  apparently  a  smart 
place.  Passed  McMahon's  Island  and  fastened  just  be- 
low it  to  the  right  shore. 


336  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

12th.  Rainy  morning;  started  at  five  o'clock;  passed 
Pultney  before  day;  passed  the  celebrated  mounds  or 
tumuli  on  Mr.  Tonilinson's;  Run  to  Fish  Creek,  23  miles; 
Wind  high  all  the  afternoon. 

13th.  Set  afloat  about  four  o  'clock  and  came  to  the  end 
of  Long  Creek  35  miles  by  9  P.M.;  still  raining;  river 
rising;  arrived  at  Marietta  at  four  o'clock  on  Sunday 
morning,  25  miles.  Marietta  is  a  very  pretty  place  ele- 
gantly situated  but  liable  to  inundations. 

14th  Sunday.     Started  after  having  landed  Mr.  and 

Mrs. about  sunrise ;  but  soon  after  we  had  started 

the  wind  rose  and  after  rocking  in  the  waves  and  toiling 
at  the  oars  we  were  forced  to  put  in  having  made  but 
four  and  one  half  miles. 

Monday  15th.  Wind  high;  had  to  work  hard  all  day 
and  run  20  miles  to  within  one  fourth  mile  of  Hocking 
River ;  snowy  day ;  at  9  P.M.  put  off  again ;  clear  moon- 
light; went  to  bed  and  at  one  o'clock  A.M.  called  up  with 
Mr.  H.  and  Mr.  Baker  to  take  our  watch ;  by  6  next  morn- 
ing had  come  to  George's  Island  having  run  since  9 
o'clock  the  preceding  day  30  miles. 

Tuesday  16th.  Continued  running  this  day;  weather 
fine ;  some  snow  squalls  however ;  by  night  reached  Cam- 
paign Creek,  39  miles;  still  running;  our  watch;  pass  the 
Great  Kanawha  River  about  9  o'clock,  a  beautiful  river 
of  Virginia  Point  Pleasant  at  its  mouth;  passed  Galli- 
polis  in  the  night  and  could  only  tell  by  the  dim  light  of 
a  cloud  that  hid  the  moon  that  the  situation  is  very  fine 
on  the  second  bank  which  runs  in  a  slope  from  the  first. 
The  river  takes  a  bend  here  and  gives  the  town,  which  is 
situated  in  the  curve  a  semi-lunar  form.  An  island  lies 
a  little  above  it. 

Wednesday  17th.  Passed  the  village  of  Guyandotte 
having  run  from  Campaign  Creek  48  miles ;  the  weather 
is  calm  and  pleasant  for  the  season  and  the  water  is 
pretty  good;  so  that  we  run  at  about  the  rate  of  three 
miles  per  hour  but  for  the  want  of  islands  to  serve  for 
milestones  we  cannot  keep  a  correct  reckoning;  supposed 
we  had  run  to  Stone's  Creek  at  sundown  27  miles  from 
Guyandotte.  It  is  now  one  o'clock  Thursday  morning 
and  we  are  now  about  closing  our  watch  having  run  with- 
out trouble  or  fatigue  thus  far  tonight. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  337 

Thursday  18th.  Snowy  morning  but  damp  and  prom- 
ising rain ;  calm  and  good  running  until  toward  evening 
when  the  wind  arose  and  we  were  compelled  to  stop  at 
Graham's  Station  distant  from  Stone's  Creek  6iy2  miles, 
having  run  from  the  mouth  of  the  Hocking  to  this  place 
without  stopping  the  boat ;  was  passed  at  two  o  'clock  this 
afternoon  by  the  steamboat  built  by  Evans,  Stockhouse 
and  Rogers,  of  Pittsburg.1  She  moved  majestically  along 
at  a  rapid  rate. 

Friday  19th.  Started  from  Graham's  Station  at  8y2 
o'clock;  wind  blowing  ahead  fresh  and  very  cold:  passed 
Manchester  about  10  o'clock;  prettily  situated;  arrived 
at  Maysville  at  6y2  P.M.  34  miles;  fine  moonlight;  cold 
but  calm.  At  9  o  'clock  attempted  to  put  off ;  but  the  wind 
arose  and  we  were  compelled  to  put  in  at  this  town. 

Saturday  20th.  Very  high  wind  and  intensely  cold. 
Thermometer  12  degrees  below  zero ;  remained  at  Mays- 
ville, a  great  landing  place,  and  place  of  great  business. 
Mr.  John  Armstrong  keeps  a  large  store.  About  5  p.m. 
wind  fell  and  we  put  off ;  fine  night ;  clear  moonlight  but 
cold;  passed  Augusta  at  1  o'clock  at  night;  turned  in. 

Sunday  21st.  Boat  still  running  and  at  night  arrived 
at  Cincinnati  65  miles.  Cincinnati  is  an  elegant  town  but 
as  it  was  dark  could  not  see  much  of  it ;  saw  Mr.  Robbins 
of  Connecticut,2  very  polite  and  agreeable ;  put  off  again 
at  ten  o'clock;  night  calm  and  moonlight  but  cold. 

Monday  22nd.  Continued  running  all  night  at  a  good 
rate;  passed  a  number  of  towns  and  streams,  many  of 
which  we  did  not  see;  arrived  toward  evening  at  Big 
Bone  Lick  Creek,  from  Cincinnati,  56  miles ;  fine  evening 
and  we  kept  on  our  course  smoothly  gliding  along  the 
placid  stream  with  scarcely  a  zephyr  to  ripple  the  glassy 
waves.  A  family  living  in  their  boat  moored  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Big  Bone  about  making  a  settlement  in  Ken- 
tucky. 

Tuesday  23rd.  Passed  Madison  early  in  the  morning; 
did  not  see  it;  but  55  miles  is  great  running  and  very 

i  This  was  possibly  the  Oliver  Evans,  which  is  eleventh  on  the  list  of 
early  steamboats  running  on  the  Ohio  and  the  sixth  built  at  Pittsburgh. 
It  was  only  75  tons. 

2  Kev.  Samuel  P.  Bobbins,  Mrs.  Ben j.  Ives  Gilman  's  brother. 


338  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

pleasant ;  arrived  within  two  or  three  miles  of  the  falls  at 
4  o'clock  next  morning  and  landed. 

Wednesday  24th.  Dropped  down  to  the  falls x  and  after 
waiting  several  hours  took  a  pilot  and  started  through; 
an  exceedingly  heavy  rain  and  thick  fog;  the  falls  were 
much  rougher  than  I  had  supposed;  got  over  safe  but 
wet  to  the  skin.  In  consequence  of  the  roof  having 
leaked  the  interior  of  the  boat  was  very  wet  and  the 
females  and  children  in  a  disagreeable  condition.  Con- 
cluded to  stop  at  New  Albany  for  the  night ;  went  ashore 
and  after  informing  Mr.  N.  Scribner  who  my  wife  was, 
received  an  invitation  to  put  up  at  his  house-  i.e.  Mr. 
Haven,  myself  and  our  families;  hospitably  entertained. 
Our  run  today  was  four  miles  only. 

Thursday  25th  Christmas.  Left  the  hospitable  roof  of 
Mr.  Scribner  after  Mrs.  L.  had  visited  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Scribner  and  her  mother  and  pushed  off  at  12  o'clock 
noon.  New  Albany  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  Ohio  in  Indiana  and  in  my  opinion  bids  fair 
to  become  a  place  of  great  business.  Enterprise  is  char- 
acteristic of  the  proprietors  and  many  lots  have  been 
sold.  There  are  at  present  90  families  Mr.  N.  Scribner 
informed  me  in  the  place:  some  good  frame  houses  a 
number  of  log  dwellings  an  elegant  brick  house  and  store 
owned  by  Mr.  Paxson,  late  of  the  house  of  Lloyd,  Smith 
and  Paxson  of  Philadelphia  and  a  steam  mill  driving  two 
saws  and  one  run  of  stones,  two  steamboats  on  the  stocks 
and  three  more  are  to  be  shortly  put  up.  A  ferry  having 
a  great  deal  of  business  is  established  here.  We  ran  by 
ten  o'clock  P.M.  to  Otter  Creek,  30  miles. 

Friday  26th.  The  weather  yesterday  and  today  cloudy 
and  threatening  rain  but  warm  and  not  unpleasant  for 
the  season.  We  continued  running  without  intermission 
excepting  a  few  minutes  to  get  wood  and,  at  about  6 
o'clock  p.m.  passed  Flint  Island  from  Otter  Creek,  82 
miles.     Still  progressing;  water  pretty  high. 

i  "  It  is  worth  a  voyage  down  the  Ohio  to  pass  the  rapids.  They  are 
two  miles  in  length,  with  a  descent  of  twenty-two  feet  and  a  half.  .  . 
The  current  is  said  to  have  a  velocity  of  thirteen  miles  an  hour,  which  is 
of  course  increased  or  diminished  by  high  or  low  water."  Letters  from 
the  West,  184,  by  Judge  Hall.     London,  1828. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  339 

Saturday  27th.  The  water  for  the  most  part  today 
seems  sluggish  and  we  move  slow.  Mr.  John  Kellogg  our 
Captain  killed  a  wild  turkey  this  morning,  for  the  first 
and  we  had  an  excellent  roast  for  dinner.  Our  run  from 
6  o'clock  last  evening  to  ten  tonight  to  Yellow  Banks  is 
60  miles. 

Sunday  28th.  Continued  running  all  night  and  by  5  in 
the  evening  stopped  at  Red  Bank  Henderson  having  made 
70  miles ;  started  at  11  at  night. 

Monday  29th.  Wet  and  disagreeable  day  after  a  very 
foggy  night.  We  run  to  a  little  below  Highland  Creek 
from  Red  Bank,  say  45  miles.  Put  in  on  account  of  the 
darkness  of  the  night  until  the  moon  rises.  At  this  mo- 
ment 12  o  'clock  the  wind  blows  hard  against  us. 

Tuesday  30th.  Arrived  in  the  forenoon  at  Shawnee- 
town  to  where  it  was  our  intention  to  take  the  land  for 
St.  Louis  but  am  informed  that  the  roads  are  impassable. 
We  therefore  are  compelled  to  wait  until  the  opening 
spring  shall  enable  us  to  take  the  water.  Got  a  room  at 
Mrs.  Cox's  at  the  end  of  the  town. 

Wednesday  31st.  Am  told  that  there  is  a  probability 
of  my  getting  a  hack  and  determined  to  try.  Finished 
taking  out  Mr.  H.  's  things  and  my  own  from  the  boat. 

January  1st  1818.  Thursday.  Applied  to  Dr.  Oldham 
about  a  school  and  received  encouragement;  but  in  the 
afternoon  he  told  me  that  another  person  was  making 
application.  After  having  waited  in  expectation  of  pro- 
curing a  school  for  a  week,  I  at  length  received  informa- 
tion that  no  room  can  be  procured,  I  am  therefore  com- 
pelled to  give  it  up.  Dr.  Oldham  however,  whose  conduct 
was  very  kind  directed  me  to  John  Caldwell,  Esq.  Re- 
ceiver of  the  Public  Monies  who  immediately  employed 
me  to  journalize  at  3114  cents  per  page.  I  average  six 
pages  per  diem.  On  Thursday  Mr.  Haven  concludes  to 
start  through  in  consequence  of  frost  and  I  lost  Friday 
and  Saturday  in  getting  ready.  Set  off  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing Jan.  18  went  two  miles  got  into  a  slough  and  then 
came  back  again. 

Monday  Jan.  19th.     Went  back  to  the  office. 

Friday  Feb.  6th.  Set  out  for  St.  Louis  without  Mr. 
Haven,  etc,  but  with  a  heavy  apprehensive  heart.  Run- 
ners under  the  wheels;  got  a  small  distance  with  them 


340  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

when  one  of  them  split  and  I  was  obliged  to  take  them 
off;  the  wagon  then  ran  easier;  crossed  the  Saline  the 
second  time  after  dark  and  got  to  the  town.  Good  bed, 
kind  treatment;  fourteen  miles. 

Saturday  7th.  Horse  lame  this  morning  from  the  ice 
cutting  his  foot  yesterday ;  had  to  stop  to  have  my  single- 
tree mended;  detained  some  time;  started  at  ten  o'clock 
and,  after  having  been  let  down  by  the  fore  wheel  coming 
off  three  or  four  times,  at  length  lashed  it  and  thus  got 
to  John  Brown's ;  thirteen  miles ;  a  very  open  cabin ;  staid 
all  night  and  were  kindly  treated. 

Sunday  8th.  Got  up  at  four  o'clock;  breakfasted  by 
candle  light  for  an  early  start ;  had  to  go  back  three  miles 
on  foot  for  my  tar-pot;  started  at  ten  o'clock  as  usual 
and  arrived  early  at  Mr.  McCreery's;  16  miles  very  kind 
and  attentive. 

Monday  9th.  Started  a  little  after  sunrise;  at  nine 
o'clock  came  to  a  smith's  shop  and  had  my  wheel  fixed 
after  sliding  it  23  miles;  came  to  V/2  miles  beyond  Big 
Muddy;  heavy  traveling;  17^  miles. 

Tuesday,  10th.  Set  out  early;  had  to  pass  Jackson's 
at  Little  Muddy  without  the  privilege  of  having  Mrs.  L. 
and  babe  go  in  and  warm,  on  account  of  the  measles  and 
whooping  cough  that  were  in  the  family,  consequently 
they  had  to  ride  22  miles  to  Mrs.  Coxe's  where  we  put  up. 

Wednesday  11th.  After  having  driven  through  a 
heavy  road  all  day  we  applied  for  lodging  at  a  miserable 
cabin  and  were  about  to  stay  but  found  that  the  whooping 
cough  was  here  also.  No  house  where  we  could  stay 
within  7  miles  and  the  sun  about  setting,  road  through 
woods  and  not  very  plain.  In  this  dilemma  it  pleased 
Providence  to  send  us  help.  An  old  man  was  at  this 
house  and  guided  us  to  his  home,  which  was  on  the  Tur- 
key Hill  road  about  a  mile  out  of  the  way.  In  his  little 
cabin  we  found  rest,  a  good  bed,  placed  on  a  frame  com- 
posed of  four  forked  sticks  placed  perpendicularly  and 
four  sticks  longitudinally  resting  on  the  forks,  boards 
split  served  for  a  sacking  bottom.  Our  table  was  a  trunk, 
etc,  etc.    26  miles  today. 

Thursday  12th.  Was  put  into  our  road  by  our  kind 
host  and  pursued  our  journey ;  about  noon  entered  Kas- 
kaskia,  a  very  old  looking  place  apparently  in  a  state  of 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  341 

dilapidation.  After  baiting  the  horse,  pursued  our  jour- 
ney ;  arrived  at  the  village  of  Prairie  du  Rocher  where  we 
put  up  at  the  house  of  Major  Le  Compte,  a  French  gentle- 
man very  intelligent  and  polite ;  27  miles. 

Friday  13th.  Set  out  about  sunrise  and  soon  began  to 
climb  a  steep  and  rugged  hill ;  the  snow  deep  and  difficult. 
After  dragging  on  five  tedious  hours  we  found  a  house, 
the  first  in  12  miles,  where  we  refreshed  our  horse  and 
selves.  A  remarkable  subterranean  stream  from  which 
by  means  of  a  chain  the  family  procured  excellent  water 
is  at  this  house. 

Kept  on  through  a  heavy  storm  of  snow  and  sleet  alter- 
nately for  1  mile  further  and  stopped  with  Judge  Lemen, 
an  old  settler;  snowing  very  hard;  19  miles. 

Saturday  14th.  Too  cold  and  stormy  to  travel ;  staid 
with  our  hospitable  old  host  and  hostess,  not  thinking  it 
best  to  travel. 

Sunday  15th.  Clear  but  intensely  cold.  I  went  to 
meeting  with  Judge  Leman  and  returned  to  tarry  till 
Monday. 

Monday  16th.  After  having  been  hospitably  and  gra- 
tuitously entertained  by  the  worthy  Mr.  Lemen  and  his 
good  old  companion  two  days,  we  again  made  an  essay 
on  our  journey;  started  at  ten  o'clock  and  got  to  the  bot- 
tom region  14  miles. 

Tuesday  17th.  Early  as  the  cold  would  permit  and  as 
soon  as  the  cheering  influence  of  the  sun  was  felt  by  the 
inhabitants  of  this  American  Bottom  we  were  again  trav- 
eling making  our  way  towards  St.  Louis.  The  day  was 
calm  and  serene  the  air  pure,  elastic  and  bracing.  Our 
hearts  bounded  with  hope  and  expectation.  Long  had 
we  been  waiting  to  meet  a  brother  and  friend.  Many  a 
tedious  and  weary  mile  had  we  trode.  Anxiety  had  per- 
vaded our  bosoms.  Dread  of  difficulty  and-  danger  had 
hung  over  us  and  often  did  our  aching  hearts  almost  re- 
gret that  we  had  left  the  dear  friends  in  the  rugged  and 
peaceful  hills  of  Lumberland;  but  now,  when  we  con- 
fidently looked  forward  to  the  enjoyment  of  meeting 
those  friends  for  whose  sake  we  had  thus  traveled  1500 
miles  and  expected  in  a  few  short  hours  to  embrace,  how 
different  the  situation  —  how  elastic  our  minds  —  how 
with   an   uncommon   activity  and  force   did   our  blood 


342  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

spring  from  the  fountains  and  rush  thro  the  various 
channels!  At  length  about  10  o'clock  the  Father  of 
Waters,  the  noble  Mississippi  opened  on  our  view  —  the 
town  of  St.  Louis  appeared  only  separated  from  us  by 
the  grand  stream.  In  a  few  minutes  we  hoped  to  tread 
the  soil  of  Missouri  Territory.  The  boat  lands,  we  em- 
bark, put  off  and  shortly  after  are  on  the  eastern  side  of 
an  island  which  obstructed  our  view  of  the  western  land- 
ing place.  Turning  the  Island  we  see  on  the  shore  a 
number  of  men  apparently  waiting  and  hope  tells  that 
one  among  the  number  is  my  anxiously  waiting  brother. 
Soon  it  is  put  beyond  a  doubt,  his  face  is  visible.  The 
boat  touches  the  shore — we  meet!  O !  how  were  my  feel- 
ings wrought  up  at  this  moment !  Our  hands  were  locked 
almost  in  silence,  but  the  emotions  of  our  hearts  were 
visible  in  our  countenances.  May  He  who  has  brought  us 
through  all  the  dangers  of  this  long  journey  still  protect 
me  not  only  from  personal  and  temporal  dangers  but 
from  the  rocks  of  vice  or  the  quicksands  of  forgetfulness ! 
May  He  guide  my  footsteps  according  to  the  dictates  of 
His  holy  will  and  bring  us  all  to  the  enjoyment  of  Him- 
self, here  and  hereafter !  To  Him  be  praise  and  humble 
thanksgiving  for  evermore.     Amen. 

239 
Mrs.  Thomas  Lippincott  to  Isaac  Swift,  Ravenna,  Ohio. 

St  Louis  April  2nd  1818 
Ever  dear  brother 

It  is  a  long  time  since  I  have  written  to  you,  but  0  my 
brother  I  have  not  forgotten  you,  nor  is  my  affection  at 
all  diminishing  can  I  cease  to  love  you,  0  no!  whilst  I 
have  a  being  I  shall  ever  bear  you  on  my  heart  with  sweet 
but  painful  remembrance.  When  last  we  parted  I  felt  — 
somehow  that  it  was  to  be  a  long  separation ;  but  I  could 
not  tell  why  my  feelings  were  more  exquisite  than  usual 
for  me,  and  I  felt  myself  wretched  for  a  while,  my  dear 
partner  did  all  in  his  power  to  comfort  me  and  I  soon  re- 
gained my  spirits,  but  how  dear  are  my  brothers  and  sis- 
ters to  me,  I  find  that  I  can  never  enjoy  myself  without 
their  society,  Although  I  am  separated  from  you  at  pres- 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  343 

ent,  yet  I  indulge  the  idea  that  we  shall  meet  again,  that 
you  will  visit  me  at  this  place  if  you  have  no  family  per- 
haps it  will  suit  you  to  reside  here,  land  is  very  cheap  and 
good,  both  in  Missouri  and  Illinois  territory  two-dollars 
per  acre ;  we  live  in  town,  but  hope  to  be  able  to  purchase 
land  after  a  while,  this  place  contains  about  two  thousand 
five  hundred  inhabitants  half  Americans  it  is  a  dissipated 
disagreeable  place  to  me  —  there  is  a  small  society  of 
Presbyterians  here  but  no  church  erected,  the  people  are 
mostly  Roman  Catholics,  We  have  been  here  only  a  few 
weeks,  were  detained  by  ice  in  the  river  then  by  badnefs 
of  the  roads,  our  journey  was  long  and  tedious,  but  we 
were  blest  with  health  and  supported  in  a  manner  beyond 
my  expectations;  it  is  more  than  five  months  since  we 
started  on  our  journey  but  I  have  not  heard  from  our 
friends  but  once  although  I  have  written  severall  times. 
We  have  not  received  any  money  from  you,  we  wish  you 
to  write  immediately  and  let  us  know  whether  you  have 
sent  it  or  no  we  wrote  to  you  upon  the  subject  when  we 
were  shut  up  by  ice  we  expected  for  the  winter  —  If  you 
have  not  sent  it  you  need  not  trouble  yourself  any  fur- 
ther at  present,  as  we  are  not  in  immediate  want,  Mr  Lip- 
pincott  is  doing  very  well  as  to  businefs,  but  I  hope  we 
shall  do  better  after  a  while  —  do  write  soon  my  dear 
brother  for  you  know  not  how  anxious  I  am  to  hear  from 
you — do  not  indulge  the  idea  that  marrying  has  caused 
me  to  forget  you  (this  is  the  common  idea  but  so  long  as 
I  can  recollect  that  one  fond  Mother  nursed  us  both,  so 
long  shall  I  love  and  long  to  be  where  I  can  enjoy  your 
society.  I  believe  that  I  am  as  happy  in  a  companion  as 
most  people,  and  am  blest  With  a  dear  little  daughter, 
yet  my  affection  for  you  is  undiminished  —  Let  us  re- 
member that  this  world  is  not  our  abiding  place,  let  us 
seek  more  strongly  an  inheritance  in  the  world  to  come ; 
let  us  seek  an  interest  in  Christ  the  Saviour,  without 
which  we  can  never  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
Let  us  frequently  bring  to  mind  the  advice  of  our  dear 
departed  Mother,  so  to  live  that  we  may  all  meet  in  that 
world  where  there  is  no  sin  nor  sorrow  the  trials  which 
we  are  called  to  pafs  through  in  this  life  should  serve  to 
wean  us  from  the  world,  we  should  not  be  immoderate  in 
our  desires  for  any  earthly  good  for  all  things  beneath 


344  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

the  sun  shall  fade  and  vanish  away,  but  we  are  permitted 
to  love  each  other,  but  not  with  a  selfish  love  [torn]  pure 
love  is  what  will  make  the  saints  happy  in  heaven  [torn] 
My  dear  child  cries  and  I  cannot  write  more  at  present 
[torn]  we  are  at  Samuel  Lippincotts  but  expect  to  go  to 
house  keeping  next  week  Your  most  affectionate  sister 

Patty  Lippincott 
Isaac  Swift 

Dear  Brother  — 

I  comply  no  lefs  with  my  own  inclination  than  the 
request  of  my  excellent  companion,  in  finishing  the  letter 
which  she  has  begun.  The  idea  of  a  bare  pofsibility  of 
your  coming  to  this  place  excites  feelings  of  a  very  ex- 
quisite nature.  And  I  am  convinced  that  could  you  see 
this  country,  and  become  acquainted  with  the  manner  in 
which  money  can  be  made  —  or  rather  property  ac- 
quired—  you  would  need  no  urging  to  close  your  businefs 
in  Ohio  and  come  immediately  to  this  country.  The  soil 
is  perhaps  as  good  as  any  in  the  world  —  You  smile  — 
and  so  did  I,  on  reading  what  I  conceived  the  extrava- 
gant accounts  of  this  —  often  termed  "Terrestrial  Par- 
adise"—  But  really  I  am  convinced  that  although  such 
were  my  opinions,  yet  "the  half  was  not  told  me".  The 
facility  with  which  the  land  can  be  brought  into  cultiva- 
tion—  the  great  abundance  it  yields  and  the  ease  in  find- 
ing market  —  all  conduce  in  a  preeminent  degree  to  ren- 
der this  [torn]  union  peculiarly  desirable.  In  the  Illi- 
nois land,  of  the  best  quality  is  two  dollars  pr  acre  — 
That  is  the  U.  S.  have  their  land  at  that  rate  —  payable 
in  four  instalments  —  One  fourth  on  making  the  entry  — 
%  in  2  years  14  in  3  and  the  remainder  in  4  years  —  But 
the  pay-ment  of  the  first  instalment  secures  the  land  for 
5  years  from  the  date  of  purchase.  (  In  this  Territory 
land  can  be  purchased  on  nearly  or  quite  as  good  terms  — 
and  the  land  office  will  shortly  be  opened  on  the  same 
terms  as  in  Ills.  And  more  chances  of  Speculation.  In 
St  Charles  a  thriving  village  on  the  Mif souri  —  20  miles 
from  this  —  I  am  told  there  is  no  Physician  —  Many  other 
situations  might  be  found  where  you  could  get  at  once 
into  businefs.  Even  here  I  have  no  doubt  you  could  do 
well.  I  am  engaged  with  Col.  R.  Carton  a  Lawyer  late 
a  delegate  to  Congrefs  —  I  have  $50  per  month  certain 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  345 

and  the  right  of  choosing  to  take  half  the  profits  of  [a] 
conveyancing  &  land  office  if  it  should  be  more  profitable 
which  is  rather  more  than  probable  —  I  wish  you  would 
come  —  I  intend  urging  Mr  Crifsey  with  all  my  power  — 
He  could  (if  his  health  permitted)  — make  a  fortune  in  a 
short  time.  If  I  do  not  get  into  something  better  than  my 
present  businefs  —  I  shall  be  very  much  disappointed  — 
I  came  without  letters  and  consequently  cannot  expect  to 
get  immediately  into  the  best  businefs  — 

Saturday  evening  4th  Ap1.  Since  writing  the  above  I 
have  been  recommended  to  the  Acting  Governor  as 
Notary  Public  &  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  together  will 
(if  I  get  them  which  is  considered  pretty  sure),  afford 
some  perquisites  — 

Patty  wishes  me  to  ask  you  where  brother  Adoniram 
is?  —  I  should  like  to  have  a  letter  from  him  —  And  if  he 
feels  inclined  to  become  acquainted  with  me  he  has  only 
to  write  —  I  shall  punctually  answer  him  — 

Direct  to  me  at  St  Louis  Mifsouri  Territory  — and  tell 
him  to  do  so.  I  am  anxious  to  hear  whether  you  sent  a 
letter  with  or  without  money  — for  I  fear  if  you  have  it 
has  miscarried  Pray  write  immediately.  I  intend  as 
soon  as  pofsible  to  enter  land  — It  is  a  sure  way  of  re- 
ceiving a  living. 

Sincerely  your  affectionate  brother 

Thos.  Lippincott 

Mr.  Lippincott  did  not  remain  long  in  St.  Louis  but 
moved  to  a  malarial  little  village  named  Milton,  four 
miles  from  what  is  now  Alton,  but  which  was  then  un- 
broken prairie  and  woods.  There  were  two  saw-mills,  a 
flour-mill  and  a  distillery  and  there  he  opened  a  store  in 
November,  1818. 

240 
An  old  resident  of  Exeter  described  a  visit  to  Mrs. 
Joseph  Gilman  at  Philadelphia  in  a  letter,  dated  Janu- 
ary 13,  1852,  which  Winthrop  S.  Gilman  copied  into  one 
of  his  Common-place  Books,  without  giving  any  clue  to 
its  authorship.     The  friend  wrote : 


346  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

"There  I  saw  her  for  the  last  time.  She  was  an  old 
lady,  bowed  by  afflictions  more  than  by  years,  but  still 
retained  her  lovely  expression  and  beautiful  eyes.  She 
told  me  that  she  had  learned  to  milk  the  cow  and  would 
sit  with  her  milk  pail  and  looking  up  to  heaven  say,  'Are 
these  the  stars  and  moon  I  used  to  see  in  Exeter!'  and 
sob  and  cry  as  a  child  and  then  wipe  her  tears  and  appear 
before  her  husband  as  cheerful  as  if  she  had  nothing  to 
give  her  pain.  She  told  me  she  once  came  to  New  Eng- 
land as  far  as  Providence,  but  she  could  not  come  to 
Exeter  —  it  was  more  than  she  could  bear." 

Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman 's  remark  to  her  old  friend  seems 
to  refer  to  her  journey  taken  in  October,  1818,  which  in- 
cluded a  visit  to  Boston,  one  to  her  nephew  Thomas 
Poynton  Ives,  at  Providence,  and  a  few  days  in  New 
York.  Her  granddaughter,  Eliza,  accompanied  her  and 
Chandler  R.  Gilman  evidently  came  down  from  Andover 
to  meet  his  grandmother  in  Providence.  Mrs.  Gilman 
was  then  seventy-three.  The  occasion  of  the  next  letter 
was  the  birth  of  Mrs.  Miller's  eldest  son  who  only  lived 
a  few  months.  In  it  we  have  the  first  mention  of  a  love 
affair  between  Eliza  Gilman  and  William  Fitz  Winthrop 
Sargent,  the  elder  of  Governor  Sargent's  two  sons.  Mr. 
Gilman  did  not  approve  of  the  match.  The  younger 
brother  was  George  Washington  Sargent,  who  spent  the 
last  years  of  his  life  at  his  father's  old  home,  Gloster 
Place,  Natchez,  and  was  killed  there  in  the  War  of  the 
Secession  by  some  marauding  soldiers.  The  Mrs.  Murray 
mentioned  was  Judith  Sargent,  sister  of  the  governor, 
whose  husband,  the  Rev.  John  Murray,  was  a  Univer- 
salist  minister  of  Boston.  Mrs.  Murray  died  in  Natchez 
in  1820. 

Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  to  Mrs.  John  S.  Miller,  Lebanon, 
Miss.1 

My  dear  Rebecca    I  have  this  moment  received  yours, 

1  MS.  loaned  by  Mrs.  Jane  (Coe)  Brant,  Eolla,  Mo. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  347 

dated  Octo.  7th  just  as  I  was  in  act  of  writing  to  the  dear 
Governour  Sargent  and  his  excellent  lady  to  express  my 
gratitude  for  their  paternal  kindness  to  you,  and  likewise 
thanking  them  for  permitting  their  son  Washington  to 
make  us  a  visit,  who  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  young 
persons  I  have  ever  seen  except  his  Brother.    I  was  very 
desirous  he  should  accompany  us  to  Philadel*  as  I  was 
afraid  the  journey  would  be  injurious  to  his  health  if  de- 
fered   until   winter.     I   consulted  Mrs.   Murray,   whose 
opinion  coincided  with  mine ;  we  sat  out  in  the  stage  and 
after  a  very  pleasant  ride  in  company  with  your  Uncle 
Chandler  and  his  lady  who  admired  our  young  friend 
and  paid  great  attention  to  him,  on  our  arrival  at  Prov- 
idence I  introduced  him  to  Mr.  Ives  and  his  family  with 
feelings  of  pride  and  pleasure,  they  were  all  charmed 
with  his  fine  person  and  preposesing  manners,  Mr.  Ives 
was  enchanted  with  him  always  conversing  with  him  and 
admiring  his  intelligence  and  often  saying  he  was  sur- 
prised at  his  general  information,  as  to  myself  I  was  con- 
tinualy  thinking  how  much  pleasure  it  would  give  his 
dear  parents  to  see  and  hear  him  and  to  observe  the  atten- 
tion that  was  paid  him,  his  elegant  and  fascinating  pow- 
ers with  the  ladies  must  be  left  for  Eliza's  pen,  as  the 
stuning  contents  of  your  letter  incapacitates  me  for  any- 
thing like  pleasantry,    after  spending  a  couple  of  weeks 
in  this  agreeable  society  where  Mr.  Washington  and  Miss 
Eliza  partook  or  rather  joined  in  all  the  amusements  of 
the  commencment  week,  we  parted  with  the  inhabitants 
of  this  hospitable  Mansion  with  regret  and  proceeded  to 
N  York,  Mr.  Washington  was  very  much  disapointed  at 
not  seeing  his  brother  at  Providence,    he  had  heard  he 
would  certainly  be  there  at  commencment,    he  consoled 
himself  however  with  the  idea  of  making  him  a  visit  on 
his  return.     I  forgot  to  mention  my  enquiring  after  Mr. 
William  of  his  Aunt  Murry,  but  she  had  not  heard  any- 
thing from  him  since  his  first  arrival  at  Litchfield,    we 
went  in  a  pacquet  to  N  York  and  landed  at  the  City  hotel 
about  10  o'clock  in  the  morn.     Washington  walked  out 
but  soon  returned  with  his  eyes  full  of  tears  produced 
by  joy;  he  had  met  his  dear  William  and  he  would  soon 
be  in  to  see  us,    in  a  few  minutes  he  came  in,    he  ap- 


348  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

peared  pleased  at  seeing  us,  said  he  had  heard  of  our  be- 
ing at  Providence  and  had  enquired  for  us,  on  the  arrival 
of  every  steamboat.  He  had  heard  Washington  was  with 
us  and  had  be  very  anxious  to  see  him,  the  affectionate 
interview  of  the  Brothers  in  our  room  gave  me  indiscrib- 
able  pleasure,  his  visit  was  short  as  he  had  an  engage- 
ment with  some  gentlemen  of  the  bar  at  Counsellor  Sam- 
sons, he  called  in  the  evening  and  wished  Miss  Eliza  to 
accept  a  ticket  for  the  theatre  which  she  politely  declined 
of  course  —  he  appeared  the  perfect  gentleman  both  in 
manners  and  deportment,  the  next  morning  he  came 
early  to  inform  us  of  his  having  arranged  his  affairs  so 
as  to  take  a  seat  with  us  in  the  stage  as  he  had  an  idea 
of  taking  his  passage  from  Philadela,  we  left  N  York  at 
11  o'clock  and  arrived  at  Trenton  at  eight  where  we 
passed  the  night,  left  there  at  an  early  hour  and  arrived 
at  Philadela  at  ten.  Washington  came  directly  to  our 
house  where  he  was  received  with  a  hearty  welcome,  Mr. 
William  had  engaged  to  meet  some  southern  gentlemen 
at  Washington  Hall  as  I  was  informed  by  Mr.  Bancroft, 
I  afterwards  urged  him  to  come  and  stay  with  us  but  he 
declined  saying  he  was  fearful  of  offending  his  young 
friend,  he  however  told  me  it  would  give  him  the  great- 
est pleasure  if  he  were  not  preengaged,  he  was  here  daily, 
dined  with  us,  and  visited  us  in  the  morning,  afternoon 
and  evening,  was  always  correct  and  agreeable,  just  the 
same  as  when  he  was  here  with  his  parents,  and  I  can 
truly  say  that  I  never  saw  anything  like  dissapation  in 
the  slightest  degree;  at  the  same  time  I  doubt  not  that 
he  was  gay  and  extravagant  with  his  young  companions, 
it  his  kind  of  company  that  makes  him  so,  on  this  ac- 
count I  hope  he  will  not  tarry  at  Orleans,  but  be  per- 
suaded to  return  here  in  the  Spring  and  read  law  with 
one  of  our  most  eminent  professional  men,  if  so,  I  think 
he  would  make  a  shining  figure  at  the  bar,  [torn]  the 
course  I  think  he  may  easily  be  induced  to  pursue,  as  he 
has  a  great  regard  and  veneration  for  his  father ;  always 
appeared  delighted  when  he  heard  him  spoken  of  with  af- 
fection and  respect ;  but  he  would  soon  be  driven  into  rebel- 
lion by  such  a  man  as  Mr.  A 11.  How  William  conduct- 
ed after  he  returned  to  N  York,  I  cannot  tell,  as  I  have  not 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  349 

heard  a  word  to  his  disadvantage,  if  he  had  behaved  im- 
properly I  think  I  should  have  been  made  acquainted 
with  it,  I  received  a  letter  from  Washington  dated  at 
N  York  the  day  his  brother  sailed  for  Orleans,  he  men- 
tioned W  with  great  tenderness,  and  on  his  arrival  at 
Cambridge  he  wrote  me  again,  informing  me  of  the  pleas- 
ure he  experienced  on  returning  to  his  studies  and  say- 
ing he  should  attend  to  his  exercises  with  pleasure  and 
afsiduity  he  is  a  very  fine  boy,  wants  nothing  but  par- 
ental advice  to  make  him  everything  they  can  wish.  I 
esteem  William  very  highly  and  was  much  pleased  with 
his  observations  and  remarks  on  the  journey  —  he  will 
always  be  respected  for  his  talents  and  good  sense,  not- 
withstanding he  has  been  caluminated  both  by  enemies 
and  injuditious  friends  —  If  William  should  return  here 
next  Spring  to  pursue  his  studies  nothing  shall  be  want- 
ing on  our  part  to  render  his  situation  pleasant,  agree- 
able, both  on  his  own  account  and  that  of  his  excellent 
parents,  to  whom  we  feel  under  the  greatest  obligations  — 
Your  father  and  mother  talk  of  making  a  visit  to  your- 
self and  Gov  Sargent's  family  this  winter,  I  most 
ardently  wish  we  could  all  be  settled  near  each  other, 
either  there  or  here.  Eliza  says  in  order  to  have  the  en- 
joyment complete,  we  must  all  be  in  one  large  house. 

I  do  violence  to  my  own  feelings,  my  dear  child,  in  not 
filing  a  sheet  on  the  subject  of  yourself  and  darling  babe, 
but  the  next  time  Eliza  writes  I  shall  add  a  long  post- 
script —  Give  much  love  to  Mr.  Miller  and  to  every  mem- 
ber of  the  Gov.  family. —  I  wish  you  could  make  it  con- 
venient to  return  next  Spring  with  your  parents,  if  the 
health  of  the  Gov.  would  permit  him  and  Mrs.  S,  to  join 
your  party  how  delighted  we  should  be  —  It  would  be  a 
great  advantage  to  their  sons  and  a  comfort  to  them- 
selves to  be  so  near  them.  Please  to  read  this  letter  to 
Mrs.  Sargent  — 

and  accept,  my  dear  Rebecca,  the  best  wishes  of  your 
Affectionate  Grandmama,  R.  Gilman 

Pray  write  me  immediately  on  receipt  of  this  letter  as 
I  shall  be  anxious  in  the  extreme  to  learn  the  determina- 
tions of  our  friends. 


350  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

241 

Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman  to  Chandler  R.  Gilman,  Andover, 
Mass.1 

Philadelphia  Novemb  9th  [1818] 
By  taking  pafsage  in  the  packet  instead  of  the  steam 
Boat  I  lost  the  oppertunity  of  conversing  with  you  before 
your  departure  for  Andover,  which  was  a  dif sapointment 
and  grief  to  me,  as  I  had  many  things  to  communicate 
both  in  French  &  english  wich  I  flattere'd  myself  would 
have  been  pleaseing  and  profitable,  the  painful  sensa- 
tion I  experienced  when  your  stage  pafsed  the  one  I 
was  in,  and  I  saw  the  last  wave  of  your  hat  is  not  to  be 
decribed,  I  hope  however  my  dear  Chandler  if  we  are  not 
to  meet  again  in  time,  we  shall  be  permitted  to  spend  an 
eternity  together  where  we  shall  enjoy  the  society  of  each 
other  without  fear  of  seperafion.  Your  dear  mother  has 
come  to  a  sudden  resolution  with  regard  to  her  western 
journey  the  time  fix'd  for  setting  out  was  next  week, 
but  she  has  just  heard  Mr  Lamson  is  going  on  wednsday 
and  she  is  determined  to  accompany  him,  the  Idea  of  her 
leaveing  us  and  for  so  longe  a  time  too  affects  me  in  such 
a  manner  that  I  can  scarsly  hold  my  pen,  this  must  ex- 
cuse the  blundering  manner  in  which  this  is  written.  I 
was  loath  to  mifs  so  good  an  oppetunity  of  commencing 
a  correspondence  which  I  should  be  glad  to  keep  up  in 
your  mothers  absence,  do  my  dear  child  communicate 
your  wants  to  me  and  depend  upon  it  your  requisitions 
will  be  chearfully  complied  with,  we  are  likewise  in  great 
trouble  about  Robert  Hale,  as  we  have  reason  to  fear  he 
was  in  Boston  at  the  time  of  the  late  dreadful  fire  and 
intended  to  put  up  at  the  Exchange,  sympathise  with  me 
my  dear  Chandler  and  believe  me 

to  be  your  very  affectionate,  Grandmother  R  Gilman 
Burn  this  as  soon  as  you  have  read  it,  that  the  imbecility 
of  your  Gr  parent  may  not  be  seen  by  any.     Doctor  Dor- 
sey  is  dangerous  [ly]  ill  of  a  fever 


i  MS.  loaned  by  W.  Stewart  Gilman,  Sioux  City,  Iowa. 


IN  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS  351 

94.9 

A  few  sheets  sewed  together  contain  this  short  diary  of 
Mrs.  Joseph  Gilman.  Her  visit  to  Providence  came  be- 
tween the  first  and  second  entry  and  could  not  have  occu- 
pied more  than  a  month.  So  little  remains  of  her  writing 
that  we  treasure  even  these  disconnected  entries. 

Tuesday  October  12th  Cousin  Bancroft  left  here  for 
Providence  it  will  be  advantagous  to  him  but  we  feel  the 
loss  of  his  company  much  13  laying  down  our  winter 
Carpets  with  what  pleasure  should  we  do  these  things  if 
we  had  any  prospect  of  seeing  the  dear  head  of  the  family 
soon,  have  reason  to  fear  from  recent  accounts  that  he 
will  be  detained  months  longer  if  not  all  winter. 

1818  November  the  12th  Thursday  this  day  my  Daugh- 
ter began  her  journey  for  the  western  country,  the  house 
appear 'd  desolate  after  her  departure  &  the  gloom  was 
increased  at  1  o'clock  by  hearing  of  the  decease  of  our 
valuable  citizen  Dr  John  Syng 

14  the  family  are  all  well,  and  I  have  the  pleasure  to 
hear  that  Old  Mrs.  Ammidon  is  better  hopes  are  enter- 
tained of  her  recovery,  but  I  am  very  anxious  with  regard 
to  Robert,  not  having  heard  from  him  since  he  left  provi- 
dence for  Andover. 

after  tiring  myself  with  sewing  for  the  family,  I  took 
up  the  port  Folio  and  was  much  pleasd  by  reading  Dr 
Johnsons  preface  to  the  Evangelical  history  of  Jesus 
Christ  harmonized  explained  &  illustrated,  it  is  not  in- 
cluded in  the  edition  by  Murphy  which  we  own,  may  be 
found  in  the  P  F  for  Novemr  1818  N°  215.  likewise  an  ex- 
tract from  Schlegel  on  the  character  of  Christianyty  and 
Wellwood  on  Jewish  and  Christian  Revelation. 

15  Sunday  pain  in  my  face  obliged  to  keep  house.Mr 
Brown  arrived  from  providence  attend4  divine  service  at 
arch  C  with  Mr  Ammidon  &  Joseph  &  Benja.  the  remains 
of  our  exellent  Dr  Dorsey  interred  this  day. 

16  letter  from  Chandl. 

17  Mr  Dillingham  made  us  a  morns  visit  gave  Eliz  & 
Jane1  much  good  advice  little  boys  well  &  at  school. 

1  Jane  Robbins,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Howell)  Robbins,  of  Alex- 
andria, Va. 


352  A  FAMILY  HISTORY 

1819 

Friday  May  th  19  Cloudy  morn  the  Sun  shown  for  a 
few  minutes  between  7  &  8  o'c,  a1  10  it  began  to  growe 
darker  &  increas  'd  till  12  when  we  were  obliged  to  light  a 
candle  dined  at  1  ock  by  candle  light,  between  3  &  4  be- 
gan to  grow  lighter 

the  darkest  evening  I  ever  saw,  like  the  Egiptan  darkness 
tangable.    11.  ock  as  light  as  usual  in  foul  weather. 

Novemb  11th  1819  Mrs  Gilman  Rece3  a  letter  from  my 
dear  Son  dated  Marietta  the  contents     .     .     . 

13  Cousins  Robert  Ives  and  Thomas  Bancroft  with  Mr 
John  Brown  set  out  for  the  western  country,  R  H  G  ac- 
companyed  them  as  far  as  the  Buck  tavern.  Coll"  Barber 
call'd  to  say  he  should  set  out  to  morrow  morng  for  Mari- 
etta spent  a  very  pleasant  evening  with  him,  conversing 
about  my  dear  son  and  others  in  that  country 

15  Our  dear  little  Boys  lost  their  Excellent  Master,  Mr 
Foriris 1  who  deaced  last  evening  they  were  much  affected 
and  think  thier  lofs  irrepareable. 

[Evidently  written  some  time  later] 

I  have  but  little  Relief  from  the  most  painful  anxieties. 


1  Mr.  Ferris.     This  entry  properly  comes  after  the  letters  of  March  2, 
1819. 


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929  .SEP  ^  1    1953 


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